Politics and the English Language
by George Orwell

April 9, 2007

In "Politics and the English Language," George Orwell connected the decline in the English language with English usage in politics and economics. According to the essay, politicians and economists exploit and abuse the English language as a tool for their own purposes, rather than using it naturally for clear communication of ideas and truth. If language is used for personal gain, its value is made less and people come not to trust its usage by anyone, and so it declines.

Orwell pointed out that political speech writers exploit "euphemism, question-begging and sheer cloudy vagueness" to justify the unjustifiable. He said politicians use the vagueness of English language to cover up the truth about "lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia." He gave examples of how people use the English language to justify the bombing, killing, and robbing of innocent people during war. They avoid the real questions about international politics and economics and employ euphemisms such as building democracy and making the world safer. It is an abuse of language to make lies sound truthful or believable.

This essay was written a long time ago, but it still applies to United States politics today. An example is how the White House justified the Iraq invasion by emphasizing democracy building, making the world safer from terrorism, and using words to scare people about weapons of mass destruction. The reality of the loss of life, and especially the many innocent lives, is avoided in favor of euphemisms and question-begging. Lies are still told. 

Besides politicians, attorneys, judges of the Supreme Court, and supply-side economists all have been accused of abusing the English language to manipulate people, economic benefits, and laws for their own benefit. 

Language should be used to educate and aid understanding, so that it can continue to be trusted.