Language, the connecting link of public diplomacy components

Public diplomacy in the modern era has become a competitive advantage in the international system. The shift away from traditional and formal diplomacy is driven by the increasingly prominent role of nations in global interactions. Public diplomacy has its own rules and requirements, with its core foundation being the accurate and effective narration and explanation of a country’s events in the external environment, as well as familiarizing and persuading global public opinion about a nation’s civilization, history, norms, and values.

Today, in 2025, we can confidently describe public diplomacy as the primary arena of competition among actors and countries in the realm of international relations. The key to understanding public diplomacy lies in its deep and expansive relationship with the channels, tools, and methods that are all defined within its framework.

One of the most critical of these channels is language. Some mistakenly view language as a tool of public diplomacy, but this perspective is flawed for several reasons. When we refer to a tool, we attribute to it a superficial or operational role, whereas language plays a foundational role and serves as the creator of essential communications in the realm of public diplomacy.

Thus, the role and position of language in the structure of a country’s public diplomacy must first be considered. If this position is defined realistically and accurately, it will create opportunities. In this regard, two fundamental points require attention:

First, language serves as the connecting link between official diplomacy and public diplomacy. Language-based and language-centered education (which can be referred to as educational diplomacy) not only empowers nations to directly and unmediatedly narrate their cultural and territorial realities but also automatically prevents false and targeted narratives. Therefore, language is the channel and focal point that binds the main platform, infrastructure, and components of public diplomacy together, creating a continuous connection among them. The absence of language deepens the gap between official diplomacy (in its conventional sense) and public diplomacy. This very gap fosters cultural threats against a country.

Second, public diplomacy today is rooted in cognitive principles. The establishment and reinforcement of these cognitive principles depend on their effective and evidence-based description. Here, we recognize the pivotal role of language in public diplomacy. Language originates from cognitive and mental patterns and directly influences the audience’s perceptions and mental images of a phenomenon. In such a framework, the function of language exceeds imagination. Thus, public diplomacy cannot be envisioned without language. In this context, language education must be regarded as a mechanism that strengthens and stabilizes a country’s public diplomacy framework, enabling us to narrate “Iran’s story” to others ourselves. This is the goal, and the paths to achieving it are clear. In pursuing this roadmap, not a single moment should be wasted.