Response to A Lexicon of Terror

In a Lexicon of Terror, by Marguerite Feitlowitz, the central theme explored is how the tyrannical regime of Argentina employed rhetorical language methods to consolidate power and suppress any subversive movements. One of the most significant figures in the establishment was the Grand Orator Admiral Emilio Massera, whose speeches and slogan campaigns stood as representations of the leading factions. Language was primarily used to distort truth and destroy identities.

One of the more interesting examples I found was the instance of “human rights”. When the World Cup was held in Argentina, and government officials were pressed for supposedly having violated human rights, their official response was “What do you mean, ‘human rights’? We Argentines are human, we Argentines are right”. This play-on-words is representative of much of what the government did in their efforts to quell any resistance. Military members were legally forbidden to use the word guerrilla, because it implied some sort of power, and instead had to use the word criminal. Some other intriguing examples are included in the Lexicon of notable vocabulary. Los Pedro, named after St. Peter, who had the keys to heaven, unlocked the prisoner’s cells. Also, Los Jorge, named after St. George who killed the “dragon”, helped with transfers. By naming these characters after holy figures, they were making light of the horrors they were actually committing.