TRIGG≠R: Translating Contested American Terms to Reach a Shared Understanding
“How do we get people on the same page
and reduce language dissonance?”
TRIGG≠R is a digital product suite that addresses language dissonance by translating American political terms in conversation. Created by first-year students Margarita Zulueta and Stephen Joyce, TRIGG≠R focuses on contested phrases to bridge the language divide through educational translation via an app and plugin.
The TRIGG≠R App
“The TRIGG≠R app translates contested terms that are inputted via text or audio,” offer the designers. “Multiple translation options are available—including an understanding from a policy perspective, an emotional standpoint, or alternate ways of phrasing.” With the example of “Defund the Police,” for example, TRIGG≠R alerts the user that the phrase could also mean “shrinking government and reallocating funds,” driving home the idea that defunding the police does not necessarily mean “living in a world without police.” Alternatively, the phase “Abolish the police” would take center stage.
The TRIGG≠R Plugin
The TRIGG≠R Plugin alerts Internet users of contested phrases that appear on their screens—showing those phrases with red underlines, and providing attendant explanations. Below is an example of a Twitter feed showcasing the aforementioned example, “Defund the Police.” Here, TRIGG≠R detects two potential definitions for the term.
Project Background
Margarita and Stephen’s initial interest in developing this project was centered on disinformation and the Black Lives Matter movement. While realistic about the complexity in addressing systemic racism and the racial divide, they sought to develop an offering that would respond to disinformation campaigns. In particular, the team focused on disinformation campaigns targeting citizens and misinforming them about what the Black Lives Matter movement is.
“We decided to look at where the misunderstanding comes from
and why disinformation campaigns were effective.”
“We decided to look at where the misunderstanding comes from and why disinformation campaigns were effective,” Stephen explained, “We soon realized that while we may understand terms one way, others may have completely different understandings of those same terms.” Margarita elaborated: “Even when speaking the same literal words in a conversation, we can still get muddled and often confused. So we sought to envision TRIGG≠R to address the following question: How do we get people on the same page and reduce language dissonance?”
Process and Research
Margarita and Stephen began with secondary research on disinformation campaigns that target Black Lives Matter. They then listed out contested terms as a way to brainstorm what their design intervention could center around. From those terms, the team began to plot out “term journey maps” as a way to find potential language dissonance points. Next, they mapped out possible definitions that could come from each term. After they had a list of defined contested phrases, Stephen and Margarita developed both app and plugin prototypes, while also considering 3D translator wearables.
“The divide of language in the United States is so nuanced and complex that it can be overwhelming to find any way of confronting social tensions,” Margarita reflects. “However, with the positive user reception of TRIGG≠R as a possible way to facilitate a dialogue—not just with potential users—but also in the concept of what it means to question your own understanding of contested terms, we have developed a discursive product worth expanding upon in the future.”