Language At MUN

Joining an MUN conference for the first time can at first be quite confusing, if not intimidating. This is because it takes some time before you get used to the way you communicate and express yourself during debate. Since MUN simulates United Nations procedure, this includes using formal (perhaps unnatural) jargon and phrases. Whatever you do don't panic because, in all likelihood, you will adjust naturally as the day proceeds.

Here are some of the grammar-rules to succeeding in learning how to address the committee:

• Always speak in Third Person - This means never using personal pronouns (such as you, me, she, he or I). It may at first seem strange saying, as representative the United Kingdom, 'The United Kingdom would rather not vote for this resolution since...' but in time you will learn to adapt.

• Most speeches begin with 'honourable chair, fellow/distinguished delegates'

• Most speeches end with 'the Delegate of (assigned nation) would like to yield the floor back to the chair'. Afterwards the chair would ask you if you are open to any questions, to which you can reply to 'Yes (and the stated amount)' 'No' or 'Any and All'

• However, you may yield the floor to other delegates (though it is recommended to have informed the delegate beforehand in noteform) or to questions. Yielding the floor to questions means that the remaining amount of time left of your speech will be used to answer any questions of other delegates in the house.

As stated above, the language used at an MUN conference is more formal than what we speak everyday.

Here are some words and phrases to expand your vocabulary prior the conference:

Vocabulary and Terms

Abstain – to not vote for or against a resolution

Agenda – a formal list of things to be done in a particular order during meetings

Amendment – a change to a resolution either by adding or taking something; can be done by a delegate during open debate

Chair - somebody presiding over something such as a committee or meeting; during regional meeting there is a single chair, while when the General Assembly is in session the President, Parliamentarian and Secretary are collectively known as the “chairs”

Clause - a distinct section of a legal document, in the case of MUN a resolution, that is usually separately numbered

Committee – a group of people appointed or chosen to perform a function on behalf of a larger group

Co-submitter – any delegate that has written at least one full operative clause for a resolution

Delegate - a person chosen to represent another group of people; in the case of MUN, delegates represent the government of their country

Follow-Up Question – used during points of clarification; it is a continuation of the first question asked

Formal Amendment – any amendment that changes the formal nature of the resolution; formal amendments must first be proposed, voted on to enter debate, debated and then voted on again before being adopted

Friendly Amendment – any amendment that does not change the formal nature of the resolution, for example correction to spelling or grammatical errors

General Assembly - the collective body of all the delegates participating in the Model United Nations

National Sovereignty - the exclusive right of a state to maintain complete control over their national affairs

Open Debate - a time when any delegate may make statements, voice opinions or ask questions pertinent to the resolution at hand

Operative Clause – a clause of a resolution that describes what action should be taken to solve the problem described in the preamble, initiating phrase should be a verb

Out of Order – actions that are not allowed according to parliamentary procedure

Parliamentarian – the individual that is responsible for enforcing all the rules of parliamentary procedure during the General Assembly

Parliamentary Procedures – standard rules to be used by all delegates while the general assembly is in session

Parliamentary Procedure Committee - a select number of delegates who function as the governing body of the MUN during the General Assembly session, their basic role is to clarify parliamentary procedure

Preambulatory Clause – a clause in the initial part of a resolution that state past action on and reasons why actions in the operative clauses should be carried out; the initiating phrase should set the tone for the statement that follows

Point of Clarification – any question posed to the reader of the resolution regarding the meaning of words or phrases contained in a resolution

Point of Order – used by a delegate to complain of inappropriate use of parliamentary procedure

Point of Parliamentary Inquiry – used by a delegate to ask about the proper use of parliamentary procedures

Point of Personal Privilege – used by a delegate when they are experiencing any type of physical discomfort that hinders their full participation in the General Assembly debate

President – the individual who presides over the entire General Assembly and is responsible for directing resolution debate process and other administrative duties

Reader of the Resolution – the delegate responsible for reading a specific resolution aloud to the entire General Assembly; points of clarification are directed toward the reader of the resolution

Resolution – a written document that addresses a specific problem and outlines steps to a solution

Roll Call – reading off the names of the nations in alphabetical order either for the purpose of taking attendance or voting

Secretary – the individual in charge of secretarial duties while the General Assembly or a regional meeting is in session

Security Council – the five permanent countries plus ten rotating countries in charge of maintaining international peace and security; security council nations are charged with crafting emergency resolutions during MUN

Yield – passing a question or the time to another delegate or the chair