On Development Language and Inherited Practices - Part 1

Words matter a lot in development work. Early in my career, I was lucky to study colonial and post-colonial mindsets with inspiring professors like the most amazing Dr. Rula Quawas at the University of Jordan, who was known for her work on feminism and anti-colonial thought. Soon after, I worked in think tanks where I again learnt how words influence knowledge and ideas. One lesson that has stayed with me through all these experiences is that “our words make our worlds.”

Many common terms, such as “local community,” “beneficiaries,” “capacity building,” “giving voice to the voiceless,” and “going to the field,” are widely used with good intentions and often serve practical purposes in reporting or communication. Reflecting on their history and implications can help us use them more thoughtfully and avoid unconsciously reproducing top-down or paternalistic approaches rooted in colonial and post-colonial governance, as discussed in postcolonial literature (Edward Said’s Orientalism is a good starting point). 

For example:

• “Local community” was used by colonial administrations to separate residents from those in authority. Today, it often used to suggest that some groups are “the community” while others living in the same place are not, as if communities are homogenous. It is important not to create an “us versus them” divide.

• “Beneficiaries” frames people as passive recipients of aid or support, reflecting a legacy of dependency, even though today it is often used pragmatically.

• “Capacity building” and “empowerment” can imply people are powerless until someone gives them skills or power, overlooking the knowledge and expertise already present.

• “Giving voice to the voiceless” assumes people lack agency, when in fact their voices have often been ignored rather than absent.

• “Going to the field” can suggest that the “field” is somewhere separate from where decisions are made, reinforcing distance between planners and communities.

For those who have worked with me know that I prefer alternatives such as “capacity strengthening,” “learning exchange,” “creating spaces for voices to be heard,” and “community visits.” Paying attention to how we describe the people we work with can help us create a more equal starting point for real cooperation in development.

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