In George Orwell's "Politics a
In George Orwell's "Politics and the English Language", the author argues that written language has suffered a serious decline as a result of political causes. Orwell shows there is a correlation between mistakes found in political language and modern language. He describes common misuses of the modern writing and provides examples of each one. Additionally, he proposes guidelines for solving language problems. Following his rules can help the writer prevent making further mistakes and help modern writing discontinue the decline. Orwell implies politics has negative an effect on the English language. He stresses that the "politica
Consequently, usage of improper words leads to poor prose that lacks "concreteness"(364). Orwell points out the incorrect use of metaphors, verbal phrases, foreign phrases, and unnecessary words. Such statements full of deceptions and dishonesty are "the great enemy of clear language"(367). At the same time, his rules emphasized the use of shorter words instead of long words, the active instead of the passive, and English phrases instead of foreign phrases. Additionally he insists on avoiding the usage of "metaphor, simile or other figure of speech" already seen in print (369). The political language found in speeches consists of the same terminology which is faithfully repeated by all politicians. Orwell claims that following his advice can stop the decay of modern language. As a result of the political influence, bad writing habits have developed. Because political language is heard everyday, Orwell reasons that the poor political writing directly affects English writing. Certainly this occurs because it is the easier for a writer to use phrases he heard or read many times before than to create new ones.
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