1984 is one of the most widely read books of all time and a staple of the high school English class. Surprisingly, I had never read it. I've always been a fan of Orwell's "Politics and the English Language" though. It's the foundational essay of how to write in the 20th century and a handy guide for editing your own writing. I try to adhere to it as much as possible. "Never use a long word where a short one will do" and "If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out" are a few of the key ideas. Orwell's advice for writers is as strong today as it ever was.
Politics and the English Language and 1984 have surprisingly much in common. "Politics" is, above all, about how vague language encourages vague thinking. Writing and thought are more closely connected than most people think and embracing jargon, cliches, abstractions and political dada slowly erode a population's ability to think clearly. Often, resorting to a common figure of speech is just a way to avoid understanding what is being said. Politicians are typically the worst offenders - then and now - but academics, CEOs and news media are just as susceptible to lazy wording. The essay is one for the ages, so I'll do something that I've never done before and link it here.
In a way, 1984 is the fictionalized version of that essay. One of its main messages is that language is more than the medium of communication. The way we use language has a fundamental impact on how we think. In 1984, "Ingsoc" - the English Socialist party - has created "Newspeak", an artificial language based on English that is to be used in all official communication. Newspeak is designed to obfuscate ideas. Once Newspeak becomes the de facto language, the theory goes, it will become impossible to think unorthodox thoughts of the party. Newspeak is Orwell's finest argument against totalitarianism. The language is brutalist and reductivist and perfectly reflects the goals of its (fictional) creators.
Hundreds of studies and dissertations have been written about 1984. That doesn't mean that it's an academic endeavour or devoid of casual interest. The narrative is surprisingly compelling and relatable. Winston Smith is a mid-level party member, who finds himself on a slippery slope leading to betraying his party. It's part Philip K Dick sci-fi dystopia and part cold war spy fiction. Trust me, it's fantastic. Don't spend the first quarter of your life having not read 1984.
Politics and the English Language and 1984 have surprisingly much in common. "Politics" is, above all, about how vague language encourages vague thinking. Writing and thought are more closely connected than most people think and embracing jargon, cliches, abstractions and political dada slowly erode a population's ability to think clearly. Often, resorting to a common figure of speech is just a way to avoid understanding what is being said. Politicians are typically the worst offenders - then and now - but academics, CEOs and news media are just as susceptible to lazy wording. The essay is one for the ages, so I'll do something that I've never done before and link it here.
In a way, 1984 is the fictionalized version of that essay. One of its main messages is that language is more than the medium of communication. The way we use language has a fundamental impact on how we think. In 1984, "Ingsoc" - the English Socialist party - has created "Newspeak", an artificial language based on English that is to be used in all official communication. Newspeak is designed to obfuscate ideas. Once Newspeak becomes the de facto language, the theory goes, it will become impossible to think unorthodox thoughts of the party. Newspeak is Orwell's finest argument against totalitarianism. The language is brutalist and reductivist and perfectly reflects the goals of its (fictional) creators.
Hundreds of studies and dissertations have been written about 1984. That doesn't mean that it's an academic endeavour or devoid of casual interest. The narrative is surprisingly compelling and relatable. Winston Smith is a mid-level party member, who finds himself on a slippery slope leading to betraying his party. It's part Philip K Dick sci-fi dystopia and part cold war spy fiction. Trust me, it's fantastic. Don't spend the first quarter of your life having not read 1984.