1. “Politics and the English Language”
George Orwell

2. Themes in Orwell’s Works
Abuse of political power:
A minority secures and abuses its power over a majority.
Orwell was a vocal critic of totalitarian/authoritarian regimes.
E.g. Animal Farm is an allegory for the Russian Revolution and Stalin’s purges.
Political abuse of language:
A totalitarian/authoritarian regime manipulates language in order to preserve its power over a majority
Doublespeak: intentionally deceptive/contradictory language (1984: “Peace is War.”)
E.g. Squealer as the propaganda minister (Animal Farm)

3. Themes in “Politics and the English Language”
Political abuse of language
language justifies sordid ends
Deterioration of the English language
a belief that we do not control language (i.e. language’s evolution is beyond our control)
bad habits are practiced and spread by imitation
in need of a “regeneration” (rebirth)
Relationship between thought and expression:
Poor English skills lead to poor thinking skills; conversely, poor thinking skills lead to poor English skills
“[T]hought corrupts language[;] language can also corrupt thought” (598).

4. Orwell’s Relevance Today
Bush has often been criticized for his abuse of language to support political aims.
“freedom lovers” vs “freedom haters”
“You’re either with us or you’re against us.”
“axis of evil”
During the Bosnian conflict (1990s), “ethnic cleansing” was used against a Muslim minority. “Ethnic cleansing” included:
torture
executions
bombing
rape camps
Before the Rwandan genocide, a Hutu radio station encouraged listeners to exterminate the “cockroaches” (Tutsi minority in Rwanda)

5. Dying Metaphors
Some outdated metaphors are used as fillers; writers don’t actually think about their meaning.
Even today, people use these metaphors; however, as Orwell explains, these people don’t actually know the meaning and/or origins of these examples.
Orwell suggests that people are being lazy when they use these “dying” metaphors.

6. Operators, or Verbal False Limbs
These are used to “dress up” a sentence when a simple word will do.
E.g. prove unacceptable = is unacceptable
E.g. in examination of = by examining
E.g. despite the fact that = even though, besides
E.g. make a recommendation = recommend

7. Pretentious Diction
Words are used to dress up a sentence (i.e. to make a simple idea appear more sophisticated)
Empty words like “element,” “individual,” “primary,” and “fundamental” can be purged or replaced by simple words.
Jargon words target a specific audience; they should be replaced by words that are understood by a larger population of readers.

8. Meaningless Words
Some words have more than one meaning; however, through usage, they actually lose meaning because multiple meanings are being used.
Writers don’t always specify the meaning of a word when it is used in a sentence.
Words like “democracy,” “freedom,” “fascism,” and “communism” have multiple meanings; as a result, they can be used dishonestly.
For example, Bush preached democracy but some of his policies were undemocratic.
During a political campaign, conservative politicians often label left-wing parties as “communists” or “socialists” to scare the electorate.

9. Political Writing
Political writing is “bad” writing because it tends to “defen[d] the indefensible.”
Political language uses euphemisms to defend events such as British rule in India, the Russian purges, and the dropping of the atomic bomb in Japan.
An inflated style covers all the details.
“The great enemy of clear language is insincerity” (598).

10. Orwell’s Solutions
Communication depends on the transmission of meaning.
Meaning depends on the listener’s understanding.
Thus, a writer should aim for clarity if communication is to be successful.
Writers should choose words, not accept them. (Writers use languages for clear purposes.)
When communicating abstract ideas, writers should have a clear idea of what it is they want to say/communicate.
Writers should avoid abstract words; concrete words and images should be used as frequently as possible.
Clear writing involves clear and sincere thinking; clear and sincere thinking demands commitment and hard work!