There is something really ugly about hearing that the government even considers people being ‘processed’ in inhumane conditions on decommissioned oil rigs, plans which were (or maybe still are) being considered to deal with migration.

But the language of bureaucracy and media is dehumanising those who are disadvantaged because of where they were born, how much money do they have, what resources do they have at their disposal to live safely and to fulfil their potential is irrespective of whether they are our own people or those seeking help from outside.

That ugly monster of unsympathetic, damaging, dangerous manipulation of language, and the inhuman barricades of legislation behind which hides our privileged status quo, has been a subject of my recent research. I focused on two aspects to that dehumanisation.

One, to do with the idea of ‘otherness’, with highlighting and exploiting difference, whether in language or through legislation, in controlling access, in bending common perceptions, in identifying and branding the ‘other’ as someone to be feared or despised.

Another is anchored around the idea of decision making that is systematic rather than individual focused, for which terms like ‘rubber stamped’ or ‘sealed’ have a very particular meaning, one that does not have positive connotations. There are some words that we dread when going through the system/the process of decisions that others make in relation to our lives - accepted or rejected. Or maybe denied.