It is often said that the English language is in decline. This may be true in some respects, but it is certainly not true when it comes to politics. In fact, politics and the English language are intimately intertwined.
One of the most important aspects of political life is the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively. This means using language that is both accessible and meaningful to those who need to hear it.
Unfortunately, political discourse often fails on both counts. Jargon-filled speech and long-winded sentences are all too common, making it difficult for people to understand what is being said, let alone why it matters to them.
This problem is compounded by the fact that political language is constantly evolving. New terms and phrases are coined all the time, often in an attempt to shape public opinion on a particular issue. This can make it very hard for people to keep up with the latest developments, let alone make sense of them.
In George Orwell’s essay, “Politics and the English Language,” he discusses how individuals often abuse the English language without being fully aware of it. Writers should strive to be as clear as possible in order to properly communicate their message to readers. Many people understand that there are issues with commonly-used phrases today, but few feel empowered enough to do anything about it.
Orwell provides six rules that writers can follow in order to produce clear and good writing, which are: (i) never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print; (ii) never use a long word where a short one will do; (iii) if it is possible to cut out a word, always cut it out; (iv) never use the passive voice where you can use the active; (v) never use a foreign phrase, scientific word, or jargon if you can think of an everyday English equivalent; and (vi) break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
Although some may argue that Orwell’s view on the English language is too harsh, his intentions were pure. In a time where the misuse of the English language was especially rampant, he wanted to make a difference by providing rules that could improve writing.
Sentences such as “The leaden eyes blinked at the floundering figures below” and “The nagging voice went on and on” are examples of terrible writing that Orwell would disapprove of (Orwell, 14). These sentences not only break his six rules, but they are also difficult to understand. In contrast, a well-written sentence would be something like “The boy’s eyes slowly opened after being hit with a ball” or “She talked nonstop about her new shoes”. Both of these sentences are easy to understand and follow Orwell’s rules.
It is evident that the English language has deteriorated over time due to the laziness of individuals. In order to improve the quality of writing, people need to be more mindful of the words they use and how they put them together. By following Orwell’s six rules, writers can create clearer and better sentences. Although some may find his rules too harsh, they are necessary in order to save the English language from complete destruction.
If people take action, they will be able to understand language better. Orwell’s goal is to demonstrate that English is deteriorating because of politics and incompetence.
Sentences are getting longer, and there is a lack of precision. Orwell’s aim is to make his readers aware of these dangers so that they can take steps to avoid them.
The first thing that Orwell does is analyze how language can be used to hide the truth. He gives the example of politicians who use long, complicated sentences full of jargon to make their speeches sound more impressive. The problem is that these speeches are often difficult to understand, and the real meaning of what the politician is saying is often hidden behind the words.
Orwell also discusses how politics can corrupt the English language. He gives the example of how words like “freedom” and “democracy” have been abused by politicians to mean something very different from what they originally meant. As a result, these words have lost their original meaning and become little more than empty slogans.
In conclusion, Orwell argues that the English language is in danger of being corrupted by politics and bad writing habits. He urges his readers to take action to avoid these dangers. By using clear, simple language, we can make our writing more effective and honest.
To demonstrate his point, Orwell referenced five quotes that included worn-out descriptions and poor accuracy. As he examined each one, some had inappropriate words while others used vague expressions and phrases. Some overused negatives or words that did not fit the sentence meaning. Consequently, all of these made the writers’ intent unclear to readers.
Next, Orwell examined how these writing problems could be corrected. He suggested that writers need to break old habits, and be more conscious of their word choices. They should also be aware of the level of formality in their writing, and use language that is appropriate for their audience.
Orwell’s essay is a reminder that accurate and clear writing is important not only in academia, but in all aspects of life. Good writing can help to persuade people to see your point of view, and bad writing can make them think less of you and your arguments. In politics, as in life, clear and effective communication is essential.
Most writers make the following errors, according to Orwell. Metaphors are most often utilized without the writer understanding their connotations. Orwell notices that the author does not utilize his/her intellect while writing, particularly if it is something that has been said numerous times before.
He also states that writers should avoid cliches like the plague, and try to be more original in their writing. Another point he makes is that writers should use shorter words instead of longer ones, and that they should use Anglo-Saxon words instead of Latin words.
Overall, Orwell’s essay is a plea for writers to use language more carefully and thoughtfully, so as not to inadvertently mislead or deceive their readers.