The aim of this project is to provide a space for (self-)reflection on the linguistic framing surrounding the Cluster’s main themes. Its chief objective is the critical analysis of the use of terms in different languages, their connotations and, to the extent that these are available, existing discussions surrounding them. Starting from the Cluster’s title words, relevant terminology will be explored through a series of workshops where Cluster members and invited guests will engage in an open discussion about the use of the relevant terms and their projected effectiveness in the public sphere, with the involvement of community members wherever possible.
Examples of terms to be analysed are the different expressions used to refer to climate change and related debates about the most effective framing in view of fostering political action to combat climate change: climate crisis, emergency, catastrophe and their equivalents in different languages. Another example are discussions about the term environment and, for instance, the German Umwelt, linked to general questions about adequate language to describe the relationship between human and non-human nature. Possible other critically debated terms to be included in the project are, for example, climate refugee/migrant; sustainable growth; Anthropocene; Capitalocene. The multilingual project will explore whether different languages provide different approaches to the issues discussed.