Harris 1

Stephanie Harris
Composition 2
9 September 2010

“Politics and the English Language”

In his essay “Politics and the English Language” George Orwell clearly states his thesis

that “the decline of language must ultimately have political and economic causes.” He feels it is

not simply at the fault of the writer. Instead, over time due to our improper use of the language it

becomes insincere. With his use of examples he clearly proves his thesis.

Orwell uses examples of metaphors, verbs and diction to show how the sincerity of the

English language has been degraded. He claims that some metaphors have been reverted to

ordinary words and lost their meaning. Metaphors are often mixed as well without them being

compatible. For example, “the hammer and the anvil.” An anvil breaks the hammer but in this

mixed metaphor the anvil is at the end. Orwell says that if a writer stopped to think about what

he was writing it would not be reverted. Orwell also describes how verbs are being taken out and

replaced with words to pad the sentence, or even a whole phrase. Therefore instead of one

concrete word with a meaning, writers end up with an appearance of profundity.

Another example Orwell gives is how diction is being used to “dress sup a simple statement

and give an air of scientific impartiality to biased judgments.” Words are being used where they

are not needed. Our English language becomes filled with meaningless words. All in an attempt

to give more meaning. It accomplishes the opposite.

 The English language has declined because people simply do not think before they write.

Politics and scientists wish to dress up their words and instead cause the language to lose

meaning. They are “haunted by the notion that Latin or Greek words are grander than Saxon

ones.” Instead of choosing words for their meaning, they choose words that already have a set

order and try to make it presentable where it does not belong.