The Language of Risks and the Risks of Language

Citation

Rainer A, Menon C & Gibb L (2023) The Language of Risks and the Risks of Language. In: Proceedings of the Thirty First Safety-Critical Systems Symposium., York, 07.02.2023-09.02.2023. Safety-Critical Systems Club C.I.C. https://doi.org/10.65391/r1745

Abstract
The language we use when discussing risk plays a major role in how that risk is perceived. In this paper we present a discussion of risk-based language, illustrating how the word, sentence and structure choices we make can serve to obscure or exaggerate certain risks. We introduce the concept of a system’s narrative, which describes the context and history of this system, and explore how different narrative techniques can provide different perspectives on the risk posed by the system. Finally, we discuss metaphor, simile and language creativity, and whether there is a place for these in safety-critical analysis.