Language B | Peace and conflict

🌎 Sharing the Planet: Peace and Conflict Study Notes 🕊

Welcome! This chapter, Peace and Conflict, is one of the most important and globally relevant parts of the "Sharing the Planet" theme. Don't worry if the topic seems serious—that’s because it is! Our goal in Language B is not to become history experts, but to understand the language used to discuss these crucial global challenges.

By the end of this study, you will be able to read, listen to, and discuss issues like diplomacy, humanitarian crises, and conflict resolution using appropriate vocabulary and cultural awareness. This is vital for developing your intercultural understanding, a core goal of the IB.

1. Defining Peace and Conflict: The Language of Division and Unity

1.1. Core Vocabulary for the Topic

When studying this theme, it's essential to move beyond basic concepts like 'war' and 'no war.' We need vocabulary that reflects complexity and nuance.

Quick Vocab Check:

• Conflict: A serious disagreement or struggle, often involving violence (e.g., un conflicto armado, un conflit politique).
• Peace: Not just the absence of war, but a state of social harmony and stability (e.g., la paz sostenible, sustainable peace).
• Displacement: The forced movement of people from their home (e.g., el desplazamiento interno, leading to refugees).
• Humanitarian Aid: Assistance given to people in distress (e.g., suministros de emergencia, emergency supplies).
• Diplomacy: Managing international relations, usually by representatives (e.g., negociación, ceasefire).

1.2. The Spectrum of Conflict

Conflict exists on a spectrum, and Language B texts will often require you to identify the scale and type of the dispute.

A. Internal vs. External Conflict

It’s important to distinguish between struggles happening within a country and those between countries.

• Internal Conflict (e.g., Civil War): Fights among groups within the same nation. These often lead to mass displacement and challenges related to equality and human rights (a linked theme).
• External Conflict (e.g., Border Dispute): Fights or disagreements between two or more separate nations or states. This requires high-level diplomacy and negotiation.

Analogy Tip: Think of an internal conflict like a huge family argument (messy, everyone knows everyone, lots of history), versus an external conflict, which is like a legal dispute between two neighbors (requires lawyers/diplomats).

Key Takeaway (Section 1)

The language used to discuss peace and conflict is highly specific. Focus on mastering vocabulary related to causes, consequences (refugees, crises), and solutions (diplomacy, aid).

2. Linking Peace and Conflict to Sharing the Planet

2.1. The Role of International Institutions

When individuals or nations cannot resolve conflict, global systems step in. Understanding the vocabulary associated with these institutions is crucial for receptive skills (reading UN reports, listening to news segments).

• United Nations (UN) / Organisation des Nations Unies (ONU): The primary global body focused on maintaining international peace and security.
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Groups like the Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders. Their texts often focus on humanitarian appeals and the urgent need for aid.
• Treaties and Agreements: Formal documents intended to prevent or end conflict (e.g., los acuerdos de paz).

💡 Did you know? Many global conflicts are rooted in issues related to the environment. Competition over scarce resources (like water or fertile land) can become a major driver of conflict, directly linking this topic back to the "Environment" subsection of Sharing the Planet.

2.2. Human Rights as a Prerequisite Concept

In Language B, texts about conflict almost always involve human rights violations. You must be able to understand and use vocabulary related to fundamental rights.

Common Terms in Conflict-Related Texts:

• Dignity: la dignidad humana (the value of every person).
• Justice: la justicia social (fairness within society).
• Atrocities: las atrocidades (extremely wicked or cruel acts, often against civilians).
• Accountability: la rendición de cuentas (the obligation to accept responsibility for actions).

Accessibility Tip: Don't worry if 'accountability' sounds complex. In simple terms, it means: "If you cause harm during a conflict, you should face consequences."

Key Takeaway (Section 2)

Conflict is not isolated. Texts will link it to other themes like human rights, the environment, and globalization. Use institutional vocabulary (UN, NGO, treaty) to show depth in your analysis.

3. Language B Skills Application: Receptive and Productive

3.1. Receptive Skills (Reading and Listening)

When analyzing texts on peace and conflict, you must identify the audience, purpose, and register.

A. Analyzing Text Types:

| Text Type | Typical Purpose | Key Language Features | |---|---|---| | News Report/Article | Inform the public about events. | Objective tone, statistics, dates, direct quotes. | | Humanitarian Appeal | Persuade the audience to donate/act. | Emotional language, verbs of urgency (we must act now!), focus on suffering (pathos). | | Official Declaration/Treaty | Establish rules, document formal agreement. | Formal, complex, specialized legal vocabulary, passive voice (e.g., It is decreed that...). |

B. Identifying Bias and Tone (HL Focus)

In high-level texts, authors may have a hidden agenda. Always ask:
"Who wrote this, and why?"

• If the text comes from a warring faction, the language will be propagandistic (designed to influence opinion).
• If it comes from a neutral international body, the language will aim to be objective and measured.

3.2. Productive Skills (Writing and Speaking)

When producing texts (Paper 1 or the Individual Oral), you must use the theme vocabulary accurately and select an appropriate register.

A. Register and Tone for Writing (Paper 1)

If you are asked to write an essay or report about conflict resolution, maintain a formal, thoughtful, and balanced tone.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Using overly simplistic or casual phrases.
Instead of: "War is bad, so we should stop it."
Try: "The international community must prioritize mechanisms for reconciliation and address the root causes of socio-economic disparity to achieve lasting peace." (See the difference? Much stronger and more appropriate for IB Language B.)

B. Using Conditionals for Solutions (SL & HL)

When discussing solutions in an oral or written task, use conditional structures to show complex thinking:
If... then... (Conditional Tense)
Example: "Si la ONU interviniera antes, muchas vidas se habrían salvado." (If the UN had intervened sooner, many lives would have been saved.)

4. Final Study Tips for Peace and Conflict

4.1. Memory Aids for Complex Terms

To remember terms related to large-scale disaster and humanitarian response, group them together:

The 3 R's of Conflict Consequences:
1. Refugees (people fleeing)
2. Relief (aid)
3. Reconciliation (making peace afterwards)

4.2. Recommended Resources (In the Target Language)

To practice your receptive skills, seek out:

• Opinion columns (columnas de opinión) from major international newspapers.
• The websites or annual reports of NGOs working in areas of conflict (often very strong vocabulary related to human rights).
• Interviews with diplomats or politicians on current events.

😊 Final Encouragement

Studying "Peace and Conflict" helps you develop not just your language skills, but your global awareness. By mastering this challenging vocabulary, you are truly embodying the spirit of the IB’s international-mindedness. Keep practicing those sophisticated phrases!