Civic language is the collection of terms and phrases we use to describe our shared goals for building better communities (the common good) and the process we use (civic participation) for publicly discussing those goals, resolving our differences, and engaging in community service.
A civic vocabulary expresses ideals and practices that we share in a democracy dedicated to equality and justice for all.
Over time, our civic language has expanded to reflect our evolving ideas about what it means to be good citizens. Not that long ago, we emulated becoming "informed citizens" who followed current events and voted regularly. By contemporary standards, that's a minimalist description of civic engagement.
The aspirations of today's citizens--ever since President Kennedy's call to service--include a commitment to national service, careers in the nonprofit sector, and most recently, the emergence of social entrepreneurs who bridge the public and private spheres through innovative, large-scale solutions to the world's most urgent needs.
Civic life today is more varied and more exciting than at any time in history. The lexicon of civic words brings us together and mobilizes other people to join us.
We speak the same language.
-- Wendy Bay Lewis, Founder
CivicDictionary.com--Defining a Better World
What is civic language?