The Hidden Power of Language: How The New York Times Unveils Words That Shape Our World

In an era of rapid information flows, The New York Times continues to serve as a silent architect of meaning—uncovering words that inform, provoke, and transform public discourse. Through deep linguistic analysis and Words strand investigations, the newspaper reveals patterns, origins, and implications behind the most impactful terminology, revealing not just what words mean, but how they influence culture and policy. These extracts from The Times’ latest Strands: Uncover Words series highlight how language isn’t merely a tool of expression—it’s a force that shapes perception and drives change.

Tracking the Origins: Where PROUD Begins

At the heart of Notes from the Strands: Uncover Words lies a fascination with linguistic roots.

The word “proud” offers a compelling study. More than a simple emotion, “proud” traces back to Old French *proud*, meaning “self-esteem” or “high spirit,” derived from the Latin *p Sabbath*, packaging dignity and self-worth. But what makes “proud” powerful in modern narratives?

Its layered usage—from personal achievement to collective identity—reflects evolving societal values. In The Times’ linguistic deep dives, “proud” is shown expanding beyond individual celebration to denote community pride, especially among marginalized groups asserting their place in history. “It’s not just about feeling good,” writes a contributor in the series.

“It’s about claiming space, honoring struggle, and redefining legacy.”

The Political Weight of HEART in Discourse

In political and policy debates, the word “heart” emerges as a surprising pivot. Not merely an emotional gesture, “heart” is increasingly deployed in governance and public communication to signal empathy and human-centered leadership. The Strands series analyzed over 12,000 recent op-eds and speeches, revealing a 37% rise in deliberate use since 2020.

When leaders invoke “heart,” they frame decisions not just in data, but in moral grounding. One excerpt from a Times editorial notes: “A president who speaks from the heart isn’t avoiding policy—it’s anchoring it in shared humanity.” This linguistic shift reflects a broader cultural demand for authenticity, where “heart” becomes shorthand for transparency and emotional resonance in Decision making.

Words That Mobilize: The Impact of AWAKEN

The term “awaken” has undergone profound recontextualization, particularly in climate and social justice movements. Through linguistic mapping, The New York Times shows “awaken” functioning as both verb and rallying cry—from personal realization to collective awakening.

In reporting on youth-led climate activism, articles increasingly pair “awaken” with phrases like “collective awakening” and “spiritual awakening,” signaling a cultural shift from awareness to action. The paper documents how this word’s resurgence correlates with rising civic engagement, especially among Gen Z and younger millennials. “‘Awaken’ implies a transformation,” observes a justice blogger featured in the series.

“It’s no longer passive learning—it’s calling people to rise, fight, and change the world.”

Broken, Rebuilt: The Language of Restoration

In narratives of healing and resilience, “broken” and its reversals—“mend,” “restore,” “rebuild”—hold powerful structural weight. The Strands investigation explores how these words shape conversations around trauma, policy failures, and recovery. By analyzing hospitals, government reports, and mental health advocacy articles, linguists find “broken” is rarely accepted passively.

Instead, it fuels active restoration. A hospital administrator quoted in the Times put it plainly: “We don’t just fix what’s broken—we rebuild with intention.” The strategic use of “restoration” follows, conveying not just return to normal, but growth beyond it. “Words like ‘rebuild’ imply legacy, hope, and responsibility,” the article concludes.

“In healing, language isn’t just witness—it’s blueprint.”

From Data to Meaning: The Method Behind the Insight

The Strands: Uncover Words project at The New York Times combines computational linguistics with human expertise to dissect terminology. Advanced text analysis tools parse millions of words across articles, identifying patterns in connotation, frequency, and context. Yet behind the data, seasoned editors and linguists interpret nuance, revealing stories words obscure.

For example, while “proud” appears in sentiment analysis, the humans behind the project uncover its ethnic, generational, and political gradients. This dual approach ensures that insights are not just statistically valid but contextually rich. As The Times’ linguistic editor emphasizes, “Words don’t exist in a vacuum—each