Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Orwellian Logic
Prima facie, an apparent contradiction emerges between the Orwell’s Politics of the English Language and his magnum opus, 1984. In Politics, Orwell deplores the use of excessive language that obscures meaning, like dead platitudes or hackneyed metaphors. He advocates a return to a simpler, more direct form of communication. Yet 1984 seems to offer a very different argument. In Orwell’s dystopia, an adulterated form of English, Newspeak, is in the process of permanently replacing Oldspeak as the spoken language of Oceania. Newspeak lacks complex syntax structures and unnecessary vocabulary. Is this not the revolution of language Orwell supported in Politics, albeit in its most extreme application?
With close scrutiny, the reader will discover that Newspeak wreaks the same devastation on the English language as dead platitudes. Both distort the true meaning and intent the speaker. While never perfect, language is a powerful tool for communication, even for abstruse concepts. Modern English fails in this regard because it’s littered with meaningless phrases. Newspeak actually impairs the language to the point where high-level communication is impossible. Either way, the results are the same.
Prima facie, an apparent contradiction emerges between the Orwell’s Politics of the English Language and his magnum opus, 1984. In Politics, Orwell deplores the use of excessive language that obscures meaning, like dead platitudes or hackneyed metaphors. He advocates a return to a simpler, more direct form of communication. Yet 1984 seems to offer a very different argument. In Orwell’s dystopia, an adulterated form of English, Newspeak, is in the process of permanently replacing Oldspeak as the spoken language of Oceania. Newspeak lacks complex syntax structures and unnecessary vocabulary. Is this not the revolution of language Orwell supported in Politics, albeit in its most extreme application?
With close scrutiny, the reader will discover that Newspeak wreaks the same devastation on the English language as dead platitudes. Both distort the true meaning and intent the speaker. While never perfect, language is a powerful tool for communication, even for abstruse concepts. Modern English fails in this regard because it’s littered with meaningless phrases. Newspeak actually impairs the language to the point where high-level communication is impossible. Either way, the results are the same.
# posted by Jonathan Noble @ 2:51 PM 
Comments:
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Two things: first, this is a tterrific observation, and something I had not thought about, but now need to more carefully; second, you're not really suggesting it doesnt matter, I think -- that seems like a cop out. It does matter, although perhaps in complicated, difficult, perhaps even contradictory ways. . . . .
Oh, and what would poor George have to say about you using "Prima facie" instead of "on its face," or even, "clearly"?
You are absolutely correct. I meant it as a tongue-in-cheek. Nevertheless, choice of language can have the effect of directing your message to a specified audience. Those who are easily impressed by pretentious Latin may now be more inclined to value my argument than would otherwise.
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