Politics and the English Language
20070625
by George Orwell
Ana Cabungcal
Yr. IV
The main idea of Orwell's essay is that the English Language is heading on to a bad way, it is becoming worse and it is following our civilization’s steps and so, we cannot do anything about it. He says that an effect can become a cause and this cause produces the original effect in a bigger, intensified form. He compares our use of the English language with a man who drinks because he sees himself as a failure but because he drinks, he does become a failure.
Orwell quoted five passages and each of these show how our use of English is heading the wrong way. Other than being ugly, the passages have two common qualities. First is staleness of imagery. The authors cannot make their ideologies or their points clear. The second is lack of precision wherein the authors are almost indifferent to what they’re saying and if it has any meaning to it. These qualities are what he calls the modern English prose and can be seen in political writings. He states by saying that as soon as certain topics are raised, the main point fades into the abstract and no one seems to think of ways to make a speech original. Authors do not know how to use metaphors and they would also use pretentious diction. They would use Latin or Greek words rather than Saxon ones because it is easier to make up words than look up an English word that would cover up our point. Other than that, authors also apply meaningless words and Orwell also says that it is now common to come across long passages that are full of nonsense.
George Orwell still thinks that the English Language is still curable and lists the following as remedies:
a. Never use a metaphor, or any other figure of speech which we are used to seeing in print.
b. Never use a long word when a short one can do.
c. If it is possible to cut out a word, do it.
d. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
e. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if there is an English equivalent that you can think of.
f. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything barbarous.
& anabanana signed off @ 12:16
