Orwell: Politics and The English Language

This is an astounding piece. This is my first encounter with George Orwell’s writing and I will not be my last. In the very beginning of this piece he illustrates the main point, although the written and even spoken English has deteriorated we can fix it. His analogy of the man who starts drinking draws a vivid picture of where we are with the English language and where we are headed.

Our writing and speaking has become so convoluted that we spend more time trying to come up with clever ways of not saying something. In this essay it was easy to see his point of view and determine what his argument was. That all derives from him avoiding all the, “Dying Metaphors, Operators or Verbal False Limbs, Pretentious Diction, etc. “ I think that this convulsion has occurred mainly due to societies movement toward the ease of communication. We use text messaging instead of calling to communicate, or even email instead of letters. Our “need for speed” is causing us to develop lazy communication habits.

It is a novel idea that, as he states “It is often easier to make up words of this kind….than to think up the English words that will cover one’s meaning. The result, in general, is an increase in slovenliness and vagueness.” It is easier for us to make stuff up than to just say what we mean. We then dilute the meaning of our message and sometimes destroy it all together.

Orwell also states “the great enemy of clear language is insincerity.” If we don’t truly, sincerely, mean what we are trying to convey, than the meaning is lost and we are just rambling. He says never use a long word where a short one will do, be active, and so on.” Basically all we need do is simplify our English and our message will come out loud and clear.

I think that a goal we should all have is to learn from Orwell and discover how to communicate effectively especially through writing. Learn to state our intent and stick to it, using clear effective language. If we can do this, our society will prosper. Communication is the answer to a lot of the problems our nation faces.