The term “Sondervermögen” – roughly translating to “special asset” or “special fund” – has been declared the “Word of the Year” for 2025, highlighting a growing concern over obfuscation in German political discourse. The jury, comprised of linguists and a journalist, announced their decision on Tuesday, pointing to the term’s increasing prevalence in public and political language throughout 2025 and its significant impact on debates surrounding national debt and investment programs.
The concern lies not in the term itself, but in its deliberate use as a smokescreen. The jury argues that the ostensibly technical language deliberately disguises what it represents: the accumulation of public debt. This deliberate vagueness is seen as a manipulative tactic, effectively shielding the underlying reality from public scrutiny and undermining genuine democratic debate regarding governmental borrowing. By employing such a veiled term, politicians sidestep the necessity for transparent explanations and minimize accountability surrounding financial commitments.
The jury’s criticism underscores a broader trend of prioritizing politically expedient language over clarity and honesty, particularly when dealing with matters that directly affect citizens. They emphasize that in a democratic society, where political communication must be accessible and understandable to all, a commitment to straightforward and appropriate language is a crucial ethical obligation.
“Sondervermögen” joins other controversial terms on the 2025 list, including “Zustrombegrenzungsgesetz” (literally “inflow limitation law” referring to restrictive immigration policies) and “Umsiedlung” (resettlement), reflecting a year marked by complex socio-political challenges. Amongst a total of 2,631 submissions, other frequently cited terms – despite not always meeting the jury’s criteria – highlighted anxieties surrounding generational divides (“Babyboomer”), international relations (“Deal” “Friedensangst” – “fear of peace”), technological advancements (“hocheffizienter Verbrenner” – high-efficiency internal combustion engine) and societal tensions (“umstritten” – controversial).
The annual “Unwort des Jahres” selection serves as an important reminder of the power of language in shaping public perception and the critical need for rigorous scrutiny of political communication.
