Politics and the English Language
Politics and the English Language
The essay “Politics and the English Language” by George Orwell shows that most individuals use the English language improperly. Writers should “get one’s meaning as clear as one can through pictures and sensations” (Orwell, 8). Many individuals are aware of the common misusage of the English language today, but in general do not believe that they are capable of taking action. If action is taken, individuals will be able to understand the language more clearly. Orwell’s purpose is to show that the English language is getting corrupted by politics and author’s bad habits.
To prove his point Orwell quoted passages that illustrated various mistakes that are made. The five quotes had two qualities in common: worn-out descriptions and poor accuracy. As Orwell reviewed each passage, some had inappropriate words and some used vague expression and phrases. Others overused negatives and words that do not fit the sentence. All of these made the meanings of the writers unclear.
Orwell makes a list of the common mistakes made by most writers. Most of the time metaphors are used without the writer knowing the meanings of them. Orwell notices that the writer doesn’t engage his/her brain while writing, especially if it is something that has been repeated over and over again. They usually become unconscious of what they are saying. “Writers are indifferent as to whether their words mean anything or not” (Orwell 2). The use of words without knowing the meanings is another problem. When using Greek or Latin phrases, they somehow do the thinking for the writer, and help to almost conceal a writer’s meaning even from oneself. These phrases give them the air of culture and elegance, which is why they only care about the sound of it, but not the meaning. There are a couple of questions that Orwell mentions for writers to ask themselves to improve their writing. While writing, oneself should make sure s/he knows what their point is and if through
The essay “Politics and the English Language” by George Orwell shows that most individuals use the English language improperly. Writers should “get one’s meaning as clear as one can through pictures and sensations” (Orwell, 8). Many individuals are aware of the common misusage of the English language today, but in general do not believe that they are capable of taking action. If action is taken, individuals will be able to understand the language more clearly. Orwell’s purpose is to show that the English language is getting corrupted by politics and author’s bad habits.
To prove his point Orwell quoted passages that illustrated various mistakes that are made. The five quotes had two qualities in common: worn-out descriptions and poor accuracy. As Orwell reviewed each passage, some had inappropriate words and some used vague expression and phrases. Others overused negatives and words that do not fit the sentence. All of these made the meanings of the writers unclear.
Orwell makes a list of the common mistakes made by most writers. Most of the time metaphors are used without the writer knowing the meanings of them. Orwell notices that the writer doesn’t engage his/her brain while writing, especially if it is something that has been repeated over and over again. They usually become unconscious of what they are saying. “Writers are indifferent as to whether their words mean anything or not” (Orwell 2). The use of words without knowing the meanings is another problem. When using Greek or Latin phrases, they somehow do the thinking for the writer, and help to almost conceal a writer’s meaning even from oneself. These phrases give them the air of culture and elegance, which is why they only care about the sound of it, but not the meaning. There are a couple of questions that Orwell mentions for writers to ask themselves to improve their writing. While writing, oneself should make sure s/he knows what their point is and if through