Precise definition of terms and transparent use of language as a practice that exposes corruption and prevents its rhetorical concealment.
Sor Juana was a master of rhetoric and understood how language shapes thought and power. Corrupt systems deliberately obscure meaning: bribes become 'consulting fees,' embezzlement becomes 'administrative discretion,' violence becomes 'peacekeeping.' Clarity of language is therefore an anti-corruption practice. Fighting corruption requires defining terms precisely, naming abuses directly, and refusing euphemisms that hide wrongdoing. This applies to institutional communication, legal frameworks, and public discourse. When laws are written clearly, enforcement becomes possible. When journalists name corruption plainly, public understanding sharpens. When activists refuse to accept regime language, they reclaim naming power. This Sophos tradition emphasizes that words matter: they construct reality and distribute power. Anti-corruption work must include linguistic work—clarifying what we mean, naming what happens, and insisting on truthful language as a foundation for justice.
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