Words matter.
In a world where toxic innuendos appear to be creeping and being heard is more important than collaborating or better, being understood, I’ve been introduced to the fine art of using correct semantics with the launch of “Surfing in El Salvador” (April 2022). What is good for the goose, isn’t always good for the gander. In this case, it is the use of the word “The Northern Triangle” as a descriptor for El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala.
In my webisodes, I try to showcase the national Mayan archeological parks, the ever-expanding economies, the vibrancy, all with an eye towards “…. changing the narrative that there’s much more to The Northern Triangle that what’s being seen on the nightly news cycle.” Those words, The Northern Triangle, struck a few citizens of El Salvador raw, and with significant negative connotations. Judging from the comments on YouTube I filtered and posted, (some could not be publicized) my response was earnest and with reflection.
Lost in the grand dialogue of these three countries lies the viewpoint that not everyone takes lightly the use of the term “Northern Triangle” to capture the three Northern countries of Central America. From a United States of America-centric viewpoint, I will admit, the term does conjure a heightened sense of peril, racism and safety gone amok. This is a view that needs to be re-imaged towards future positive representation. I’m adamant in the ideas of the positive societal changes underway in these three countries despite the multitude of what these citizens are up against within their own country.
Historically the term “Northern Triangle” references the three countries of Central America, comprised of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. In American media, it is often the starting point to further reference the turbulent ideas of environmental degradation, consistent violence and minimal equity with regards to economic opportunities for the people of those three countries.
I’m sure that those last three points could also be used to illustrate areas of the United States that suffer from those three reference points as well. However, the use of “Triangle” to capture a region isn’t limited to the three northernmost countries in Central America.
The Jakota Triangle is also mentioned and worthy of this moniker, referencing the first two letters (Ja-Japan, Ko-Korea and Ta-Taiwan) to signify these three countries in Eastern Asia as being highly dependent upon one another with regards to manufacturing, commerce and raw material distribution. Then there is perhaps, the most famous triangle, that of the Bermuda. One can only surmise that in at least two of these regional triangles, the significance lies in the negative connotations that belies these countries, or in the case of the Bermuda Triangle, the weather phenomena.
I point out that these geographical monikers exist primarily to make the case that not only do words matter, they can shape the initial impressions when one is introduced to a new subject, in this case, the three northernmost countries in Central America. That’s not withstanding the fact that many people erroneously assume that Mexico is part of Central America, which it isn’t. (It’s part of North America).
American mainstream news often casts border issues directly as a consequence of these three issues, forcing migrants to flee and seek a land where the huddled masses, yearning to breathe free, can be welcomed. Nothing is ever mentioned in the same news cycle about those able to enter Canada, or enter Canada with the ideas of transiting to the United States, crossing from the Northern USA/Canada border.
Traditionally, there were migratory cycles, undocumented immigrants from these three countries would come during the cooler parts of the calendar year, often reaching family members who have already settled into the United States. As the seasons changed, and Summer weather patterns arrived, fewer migrants would attempt the arduous passage. However, with climate change, multiple destructive weather patterns and practically year-round migrant caravans, the migrants are being confronted with multiple police blockages along each of the Central American countries that include the Trans-American highway. Despite those barriers and the warming environments, climate change has increased the impetus for climate refugees to migrate, something being felt in many other regions of the world. If it isn’t climate refugees and those seeking a better life in whatever capacity that might entail, then it is political refugee(s), using the Trans-American highway as a transit point.
Reviewing periodicals and other news sources from countries outside the United States, anecdotal evidence suggests that in addition to migrants whose nationalities are Guatemalan, El Salvadoran and Hondurans, there are now political refugees joining them from countries such as Syria, Turkey and increasingly, several African nations.
In multiple conversations with Guatemalan nationals, I found that there is no aversion to the term “Northern Triangle,” but some also allude to the ideas that they understand the perspective from their neighbors to the South, in El Salvador. The Northern Triangle term is highly sensitive to those that live in El Salvador, less so in Honduras.
I’ll do my best with recognizing change comes from within. I’ll continue to use the term “The Northern Triangle” periodically with Guatemala, definitely steer away from any mention in El Salvador and intermittently with Honduras. However, incorporating a broader-based paintbrush term of “Central America,” how can a rebranding of efforts steer towards an enhanced, positive view of these three countries? Languages are living, breathing entities consistently morphing and adapting to reflect society. Using my language and analyzing English, if you’re not convinced, take another look at Shakespeare’s English, compared to today’s modern use. To be or not to be, that soliloquy (referencing life and death), is the question.
Let’s retire this worn out moniker of The Northern Triangle because after all, words, do matter.