defamation
pl. uncountable
Commonality score: 2 (Common)
Translations
- Arabic: التشهير
- Chinese (Mandarin): 诽谤
- French: diffamation
- German: Verleumdung
- Hindi: मानहानि
- Japanese: 名誉毀損
- Korean: 명예 훼손
- Polish: zniesławienie
- Portuguese: difamação
- Russian: клевета
- Spanish: difamación
- Thai: การหมิ่นประมาท / การใส่ร้าย
- Turkish: iftira / hakaret
- Vietnamese: phỉ báng / vu khống
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Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy, translations could be misleading. Check with your teacher if you are unsure.
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Noun type
Abstract Noun: "Defamation" is an abstract noun because it refers to the act of damaging someone’s reputation through false or harmful statements. It is a legal and social concept, intangible and based on perception, speech, and reputation rather than physical reality.
It is uncountable: “She filed a lawsuit for defamation after the article was published.”
From Latin diffamatio, from diffamare (“to spread abroad by ill fame”), from dis- (“away”) + fama (“report, rumor, reputation”).
Definition/s
- The act of communicating false statements about a person that injure their reputation.
- A spoken (slander) or written (libel) form of damaging communication that can lead to legal action.
- A legal term for reputational harm caused by untrue public statements.
Examples
- He sued the magazine for defamation after they published false accusations.
- Online defamation can spread rapidly through social media.
- Laws around defamation vary between countries, especially regarding public figures.
What are Openers?
- Openers are conversation starters you will use to participate in a discussion. They come in three forms:
1. Open Questions
- Ask an open question and understand your conversation partners’s views.
- Make sure to ask follow ups, and remember: this is a conversation, not an interview!
2. Stories
- Tell a personal story. Something that has happened to you, or somebody you know.
- Or tell us about something that you have done or seen.
- Your conversation partners must then follow up with you or reciprocate with their own stories.
3. Opinions
- Share an opinion about something that the content has inspired.
- Respectfully identify any agreement or disagreement there is in the room.
What are Openers?
- Openers are conversation starters you will use to participate in a discussion. They come in three forms:
1. Open Questions
- Ask an open question and understand your conversation partners’s views.
- Make sure to ask follow ups, and remember: this is a conversation, not an interview!
2. Stories
- Tell a personal story. Something that has happened to you, or somebody you know.
- Or tell us about something that you have done or seen.
- Your conversation partners must then follow up with you or reciprocate with their own stories.
3. Opinions
- Share an opinion about something that the content has inspired.
- Respectfully identify any agreement or disagreement there is in the room.
The Skinny
You’ve been asked to brief a senior executive (the “boss”) on a key issue from a recent business news event. This person is busy and relies on you to give them insight, not headlines.
You have 60–90 seconds to deliver a concise, high-value update tailored to their concerns and communication preferences.
1. Read the boss profile carefully.
- Who are they?
- What do they care about?
- What do they not want to hear?
2. Stick to their focus.
- What part of the story matters most to them?
- Don’t explain everything—prioritise.
3. Use business English.
- Be clear, precise, and professional.
- Avoid informal or emotional language.
Two Papal Styles: Clerical vs. Pastoral
Not all popes lead the same way. Some focus more on rules and tradition, while others focus on care and connection. These two styles are often called clerical and pastoral.
Understanding the difference can help us see why Pope Francis felt so different from past leaders—and why some people loved his style while others disagreed with it.
Understanding the difference can help us see why Pope Francis felt so different from past leaders—and why some people loved his style while others disagreed with it.
🟣 Clerical Style
- Focuses on rules, tradition, and Church authority
- Speaks with clear, firm direction
- Keeps strong boundaries between Church leaders and members.
Example: A clerical pope might defend strict Church teachings on family or sacraments.
🟢 Pastoral Style
- Focuses on compassion, listening, and inclusion
- Tries to meet people where they are.
- Emphasises mercy over judgment.
Example: A pastoral pope might welcome divorced people or support migrants and the poor.
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