“Some taboo words become positive words.”
Intellectual and beautiful expressions found in hate and disdain: “I have taken measures to abolish all discriminatory DEI policies.”
In January 2025, this statement made by President Donald Trump on the stage of the World Economic Forum is an explosive declaration that goes beyond a simple announcement, revealing the stark clash of language and power that our society is currently facing. The DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) that he dismissed as 'absolute nonsense' has become a concept symbolizing justice and inclusion in American society, alongside the term 'Woke.' However, some extreme conservative forces have labeled it as 'leftist language' and 'anti-American expression,' fueling a cultural war. In this context, President Donald Trump has taken the lead in this cultural war. -From the Prologue
《The Trump Forbidden Words Dictionary》 is a book that compiles words and expressions that have disappeared from government departments and public institutions following the Trump administration's inauguration in January 2025, formatted as a conceptual dictionary. The presence of these 'woke words' expelled from public spaces has shocked many. The list includes vocabulary frequently used in recent political, social, and educational fields, such as diversity, equity, inclusion, as well as words related to social injustices and personal identity, including intersectionality, solidarity, stereotypes, unfairness, racism, minority, prejudice, hate speech, sexual identity, confirmation bias, women, marginalized groups, barriers, undervaluation, marginalization, and climate crisis, all of which have been included in the forbidden list.
Since December 2024, interest and participation in politics have increased across generations in Korean society. The perception that being indifferent to politics is 'cool' has changed, and many people are seriously considering how politics is closely connected to daily life. The series of events happening in the U.S. evokes a sense of déjà vu. A world seen through words, a clear introduction to current affairs and culture.
The ultimate goal of this book is to recognize what it means socially to politically suppress the use of certain words or expressions and how it impacts our lives. It is a process of seeking answers to how language is used as a weapon in modern politics. The words banned by the Trump administration are not just vocabulary; they represent a clash of ideologies and power. This book explains the context in which these words appear and why they are rejected or appropriated by certain factions. However, not all of the 170 words included in this book are progressive positive words. For example, 'cultural heritage' originally had a neutral meaning, but it has been appropriated by the far-right in the U.S. as a specific political message and included in the forbidden words list.
As we live in an era of ongoing conflict and confrontation, we will encounter these words in all areas of our lives. Therefore, while it is necessary to know the English expressions included in this book, it is equally important to understand the concepts properly.
《The Trump Forbidden Words Dictionary》 is the first book in the series 〈A World Seen Through Words〉, which kindly addresses various humanities and cultural topics from a beginner's perspective. It examines the meanings and actual uses of words that have become essential knowledge when watching political news, reading social articles, or doing business, and clarifies the meanings that have often been vaguely understood, limiting them to core concepts.
Professor Kim Bong-jung, a historian familiar to the public through the tvN cultural program 〈Naked World History〉, explores over 170 English words currently at the center of heated debates, organizing them into ten themes: fairness, equity, diversity, health, LGBTQ+, women, race, environment, and more, unraveling the historical backgrounds and meanings hidden in the language we have used without much thought in an engaging manner. A world becomes visible only when we truly understand words. Language has the power to foster critical thinking, understand situations in context, and view the world from various perspectives. To engage in inclusive and multi-layered thinking, it is essential to clearly define the words that form the basis of our thoughts.
According to PEN America, an international writers' organization, the list of banned words in the U.S. has already exceeded 350. American society is buzzing with news related to this issue every day. The current controversies surrounding banned words are fake controversies created for political purposes. To grasp the true meaning of this controversy, we must look behind the scenes. There is background knowledge that needs to be understood for that. Therefore, this book is not just a vocabulary learning guide. It explains not only the definitions of words but also the historical backgrounds and social impacts that have shaped their emergence and evolution. Understanding banned words is equivalent to understanding the core values that drive modern society. Understanding America means knowing the trends and directions of the world. The language that the Trump administration deems taboo represents values that will become increasingly important in our society. We are witnessing the ongoing history unfolding right before our eyes.
For those who wish to cultivate linguistic literacy and critical thinking without being swayed by fake controversies, I hope you will willingly engage in the language debates presented in this book. As words accumulate, a balanced perspective on the world will open up. This book is particularly recommended for the following readers:
1. Humanities and cultural intellectuals interested in current affairs, politics, and society
Readers of humanities books who are sensitive to ideological debates, censorship, or language control issues, and are interested in the issues of woke culture or political correctness, or the backlash and distortion related to them.
2. Individuals in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s who wish to enhance their 'intellectual combat power'
Readers who want to maintain their center amidst the flood of information pouring in from social media and communities, and university students and professionals who wish to build foundational strength in political and social discourse.
3. Professionals and aspirants interested in the politics of language and discourse
Individuals who are sensitive to the relationship between language and power, the political nature and influence of speech, and need to apply this directly to their work, including educators, journalists, civil servants, and media professionals preparing for the AI era and multicultural society.
4. Cultural connoisseurs who recognize and are interested in the term Woke
Individuals sensitive to the culture war occurring in online spaces such as Netflix, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.