Politics and the English Language essay. English, Free Essays, Language. In George Orwell’s “Politics and the English Language”, he discusses the recent failures in the usage of the English language. He speaks of how this careless use of words translate to carelessness in thought and that these in turn make it easier to fail in expressing one’s thoughts through blogger.comted Reading Time: 3 mins This situation forms the focus of George Orwell’s essay “Politics and the English Language,” in which he criticizes the bad writing that signals a political tract: “If the speech he [a political actor] is making is one that he is accustomed to make over and over again, he may be almost unconscious of what he is saying, as one is when one utters the responses in church” (Orwell, , ) Feb 28, · ‘Politics and the English Language’ () is one of the best-known essays by George Orwell (). As its title suggests, Orwell identifies a link between the (degraded) English language of his time and the degraded political situation: Orwell sees modern discourse (especially political discourse) as being less a matter of words chosen for their clear meanings than a series of stock
A Short Analysis of George Orwell’s ‘Politics and the English Language’ – Interesting Literature
English language, unlike other languages, is very strict in its usage. According to Taylor 4English language has faced a lot of transformation over time. Several factors have contributed to this evolution of this language. This scholar states that this language is the second most spoken language in the world after Chinese.
Different groups of people will speak this language differently based on their place of birth and the first language. The way words are pronounced by different individuals from different parts of the world clearly demonstrates this variation.
Some of the variations are so big that one may fail to understand what another speaker is saying. This is sometimes worsened by the fact that some people consider introducing their first language into English, creating what Meyers 3 refers to as slung. This is very common in the political language. George Orwell has carefully analyzed the use of English language both it its written and spoken form.
In this article, Orwell brings out the fact that English language is constantly deteriorating as the world globalizes. Although this is the second most spoken language in the world, it is always seen as the most important language in the world.
It may be because of this reason that there has been a massive attempt by individuals from around the world to get an understanding of this language. As civilization continues around the world, politics and the english language essay, the language is getting worse with each passing day.
It is of concern that the society seem to be comfortable with this distortion. He says that the society has become so accustomed to this poor language that it has become impossible to persuade them out of it, politics and the english language essay.
An attempt to convince people to desist from the language is like telling them to avid what is considered trendier. That is why Orwell is comparing this emerging English language to an electric light and the traditional Politics and the english language essay language to a candle.
It is a fact that as the world globalizes, there is increased number of people speaking this language, politics and the english language essay. However, this does not mean that the language spoken in these areas are not Standard English.
In fact, there has been a consistent decline in the standard language. This distortion of the language may be because of some little ignorance that was ignored when they first appeared in this language. According to Orwell, the politics and the english language essay of a distorted language seems to be the cause of further distortion of the language.
This scholar says that some individuals resign to their fate. An individual will consider him or herself a failure and therefore use failure as an excuse to the deterioration of spoken English. Like a drunkard, the effect will be used to compound the whole process. Orwell says that misuse of the language is common even in the media. He says that it is common to hear and read substandard language in media.
The misuse of the language has become so serious that it is currently finding its way into the classrooms. This scholar says a number of ways in which individuals in various capacities are dodging the Standard English in their speech and writings exist. The report by Larkin 12 supports the argument of this scholar.
This scholar says that media has been one of the leading sources of distortion of the language. This scholar says that misuse of the language is common to both the media presenters and reporters, and the people they politics and the english language essay to the media. This scholar brings to focus an incident that hit the headlines of many newspapers and televisions around the world.
A reporter in a West African country was reporting on an accident. What this reporter wanted to say was that the individuals were in full full conditionwhich in its improved form, is still not a Standard English.
This incident was a perfect demonstration of how an effect can be a perfect cause of a phenomenon. Because this report was listened to over the radios, television and the print media, it became a common terms, almost a cliché within a very short period. Instead of saying that an individual is drunk, one would say that the individual is in full condition.
They slowly get into the mainstream language and like cancer, the get accepted and steadily displace the traditional English expressions. According to Orwell, there is a close link between language flaws and politics. In politics, there is always the pressure to impress the audience.
One is always forced to use the power of word in order to convince the audience that he is the best. This shows that when such an individual is offered an opportunity, he will be able to tackle most of their problems. To do this, diction is very important. A politician will always try to show a mastery of language by using very complex and flowery language. Simile and metaphors become very vital, and any extra word or expression that will make the sentence more flowery is always welcome.
In traditional English, there is always a rule that one should avoid double negatives in a sentence. The phrase above does not observe this. This is because the sentence can be simplified further as justifiable. However, when people in authority make such statements, they become easily acceptable.
They always infiltrate the academic sector first. Students who consider these leaders as their role model will start using such language without the knowledge that such expressions are not standard. This clearly demonstrates the fact that there is a direct relationship between politics and the language. Orwell says that language and politics is closely connected both directly and indirectly.
Orwell laments that politics a large mass politics and the english language essay lies, folly, evasion, and hatred. Because of the evasive nature of the language, it becomes convenient for them to come up with a language that is evasive to help hide their intention.
They have to find a way of expressing statements in a way that does not reveal their real intention. The language they use become so entrenched in the society that they become part of people. According to the report by Hitchens 17the sentiments of Orwell are valid. Politics has redefined the way some of the phrases are made. This scholar emphasizes the elusiveness and deceitful nature of politics and politicians.
This scholar says that in politics, people may be politics and the english language essay to say statements that they do not mean. At times, this scholar says that politicians are found in dilemma where they have to address an issue that is considered controversial. When a politician is faced with a situation that will demand that he makes a choice between two issues, and the choice comes with some form of consequences, the politician will politics and the english language essay try to gamble and win both factions.
To achieve this, it will force such a politician to use a language that will be pleasant to both sides. This may involve coming up with a language that will make his opinion or choice appear to appease both sides.
This creates a scenario where no straightforward statements that can help express opinion of an individual exist. English as a language has become very common. A large number of people around the world speak it and many more are aspiring to know the language. Language is an important tool of communication. It is also a fact that languages also undergo evolution that may make them change in a way that reflects the current society.
This is especially so as technology keeps on bringing new items and phenomenon that must find a name and an expression. However, politics and the english language essay, it is important to develop the traditional language based on the emerging trends in the society. When one decides to replace the traditional expressions, words or sentences with others that crop up spontaneously, then the language will lose its meaning. An individual from the United States may not be able to communicate with another from Britain because the two speak different languages while still claiming to speak English language.
To do this, it is important for an individual to avoid usage of similes and metaphors or other figurative languages that may be common in the media. An individual should also avoid using long words where short words can be used. Above all, one should avoid sentences that do not make sense even to themselves. This is the only way the language can be protected. Bounds, Philip. Orwell and Marxism: The Political and Cultural Thinking of George Orwell.
New York: I. Tauris, Larkin, Emma. Secret Histories: Finding George Orwell in a Burmese Teashop. New York: Penguin, Meyers, Jeffery. Orwell: Wintry Conscience of a Generation. New York: W. Norton, Need a custom Research Paper sample written from scratch by professional specifically for you? certified writers online. Select a citation style:. We use cookies politics and the english language essay give you the best experience possible.
If you continue, politics and the english language essay, we will assume that you agree to our Cookies Policy. Table of Contents. Introduction Decline of English Language Politics and English Language Improving the Language Works Cited. Learn More.
Politics and the English Language - Reading - Theory\u0026Practice
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Jul 09, · "Politics and the English Language" is an essay by George Orwell published in where he criticizes the way written English language has evolved. Orwell uses five texts from various contemporary authors to identify in them the "perversions" in the evolution of the language Jul 08, · This is very common in the political language. This study focuses on the works of George Orwell about the use and misuse of the language titled “Politics and the English Language.” George Orwell has carefully analyzed the use of English language both it its written and spoken form Words5 Pages. George Orwell’s essay, Politics and the English Language, first published in , talks about some “bad habits”, which have driven the English language in the wrong direction, that is, away from communicating ideas. In his essay he quotes five passages, each from a different author, which embody the faults he is talking about. He lists dying metaphors, operators, pretentious diction,
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