Language of Politics Essay

Websters Encyclopedia defined speech communication, from Latin lingua, tongue, as basically the mode by which humans express themselves vocally and go with a nonher(prenominal)s. It is the expression and communication of emotions or ideas between human universes by substance of speech and hearing, the sounds spoken or heard creation systematized and confirmed by physical exertion among a given mass over a completion of time.1The art of utilise language in oftentimes(prenominal) a substance that signifi freighterce is either limited or produces a bargon-assed connotation, exact only one purpose, that is, to distort stack in believing other concepts or meanings so that people will not put into disadvantageously light or decipher correctly previous actions that have unfavourable effects to the environment, to people or to the parliamentary procedure.Some people see that our polish is degenerating and becoming more immoral as time passes us by and that our own lang uage must inevitably sh be in the popular collapse. As the environment continued to be destroyed by our savage actions, surely the ab office of language is withal one of the characteristics of a decaying society.Ultimately, the origin of language will have to be traced to its political and economic causes. nomenclature becomes ugly and inaccurate mainly because our own thoughts have become sc atomic number 18 off and foolish and frivolous. Manipulation of language to cover certain ugly plant or to paint rosy pictures so as to maintain people support and economic stability is fast becoming the norm in todays eachday communication.In George Orwells Politics and the incline row, two qualities that emerged among the five specimens of the English language as it is habitually written are (1) the staleness of imagery and (2) the lack of precision. He explained that the generator must have a meaning and yet, cannot express it properly or expresses it in such a way that it gives a whole new connotation.The writer might be indifferent to what he is saying and doesnt care if he is understood at all. Orwell said that this combination of vagueness ad sheer incompetence is one that is most unmistakably marked in terms of characteristics of modern English prose and of any kind of political writing. As soon as topics for discussion are raised, the concrete become raise and no one seems able to cogitate and speak row that is not hackneyed or trite.Orwell enumerated four tricks by which prose construction is habitually evaded (1) dying(p) metaphors assists thought by evoking a visual image but in like manner a metaphor that is technically dead (e.g., iron resolution) has in effect, reverted to being an ordinary word and can be utilise without loss of vividness, metaphors that are usually utilise to save people from inventing new words (e.g., walk the line, stand shoulder to shoulder with, play into the hands of, etc.) (2) Operators or communicatory false limbs saves the trouble of choosing appropriate verbs and nouns and at the same time, pad from each one sentence with extra syllables that gives it an appearance of symmetry (i.e., render inoperative, militate against, coiffe the purpose of, etc.)(3) Pretentious diction words like phenomenon, element, individual, objective, categorical, liquidate, etc. are utilise to dress up simple statements and give an air of scientific impartiality to biased judgments. Adjectives such as epoch-making, epic, historic, unforgettable, inevitable, etc. are words used to dignify the sordid process of international politics and (4) purposeless words words and passages that are almost lacking in meaning are used (e.g., romantic, plastic, values, human, sentimental, natural, vitality, etc. are usually used in art and literary criticism.2Orwell provided a clear and detailed explanation as to the operator by which people can destroy the usage of language through the four tricks that was enumerated above. style can be made live(a) and interesting, and it can be used with malice and intention to cloud peoples perception of things and events that whitethorn be deadly to some individuals, groups or organizations.What is language of politics? It is basically a term used to separate political or social consequences of linguistic differences between people, or on certain occasion, the political consequences of the way a language is spoken and what words are used.3Language, based on early exposition, can be a speech of a particular nation or any means of passing on ones thoughts or feelings to others. It is like a person such that over time, it grows and develops, changes as society changes. Often, society (particularly those in politics) uses language or words as weapons. It is used to bring on soul feel inferior or to hide something that will be detrimental to someones wellbeing. Language basically defines who we were, what we are and where we are expiry (direction). With its power to devastate and its power to influence, language continually evolves and changes, as the society and the environment changes.4For politicians, language is indeed a weapon. Creative and apt usage may cause death on political issues or aspirations. It may be used to cover devious acts and horrendous mistakes so that the the great unwashed will be clueless.Nowadays, an entire art of using language to manipulate citizens knowledge and inputs regarding politics has developed. Language is oftentimes used to hide mistakes or to cloud the peoples better judgment. By using tawdry language like jargon, enigmatic syn impose and hypersensitivity to precise narrow definitions, politicians are able to make people believe in lies or make them act in such a way that will be greatly beneficial to the political position of a candidate.One archetype of this is when then Secretary of State, Alexander Haig (1981) manipulated words because he was to explain to copulation why a group of S alvadoran soldiers trained and equipped by the United States had brutally raped and killed four American nuns. Haid used every language trick imaginable to suggest that the nuns actually got involved in an exchange of fire with the soldiers such that the image of nuns fighting with soldiers almost blotted out the fact that a crime was committed against the nuns. This is an grammatical case of how language can be manipulated to suit the needs of the politicians.5Politicians also conduct its citizenry by using jargon. Jargon refers to the confusing labels that are often attached to things. This is used so that those who are knowledgeable will know precisely what is being referred to. To use it with dishonesty and deceitfulness in mind, jargon is oftentimes used to confuse people with very formal sounding language.One example of this is when a doctor tells a patient that she has sever abdominal distention, encouraging the patient to spend more for her hospitalization, little knowin g that it vertical means she is experiencing cramps. This is oftentimes utilized during wartimes (e.g. during the Gulf War) by politicians to report about(predicate) targets being serviced which only meant that something possible containing people in it was destroyed.William Lutz, in his parole titled Doublespeak, gave another example on the usage of jargon to mislead people. He cited a US$2,043 dollar hexaform rotatable surface concretion unit, which suffered dramatically degraded useful operational life when it underwent harmful stress-related shaft detachment. Upon hearing this, people will naturally call up that the government should be more careful in buying such units when in actuality, it only meant a nut that has a value that is much too costly for comfort.6another(prenominal) way of deceiving the people is when politicians use confusing syntax. Syntax basically refers to grammar and certain grammatical structures can be used to misinform and mislead people. One mistak e that was covered up by using syntax was the aborted warrantor rescue effort in Iran during the hostage crisis of the 1970s. The presidential spokesman dispatched to inform the public of the circumstances explained that something had happened, but nothing rattling happened, there were or were not casualties and the US may or may not have been involved.Lutz came up with another example wherein it shows that politicians try to obviate being pinpointed as the author of bills that invariably raise taxes. Draft tax laws like in the case of a partnership with a dutiable year beginning 1 may 1986, if such partnership realize net capital gain during the period beginningthen such partnership may elect to treat each assetas having been distributed to the partners The readers simply lose track of what is being discussed and are left with no choice but to just accept what is being reported.7By using very narrow definitions, politicians are able to effectively deceive people. A politician may apply a rarely used definition to mislead or use a term in its strictest common sense while everyone else assumed that the more far-ranging definition applied. One example of this is when electric chair Bill Clinton explained that there is no sexual relationship.Americans assumed that his is also referred to the past and that there has never been any sexual relationship when in fact, he meant that literally at that moment, there was no sexual relationship. Another example is when a plane crashed due to a propeller that unload off and was explained in an FAA report as a case of uncontained leaf blade liberation. The horrible effect of incompetence is thus hidden in a term of blade liberation, misleading people to think that nothing untoward happened.Politicians have so much power when they use language in misinformation and deceit. People will just have to be constantly aware when they are being given jargons, syntax and very narrow definitions that are confusing and vague, making them robots that are programmed to accept and believe according to the whims of those who are in the position of power.ReferencesAnderson-Krome, Christopher W. What is Language? Retrieved 30 May 2007 fromhttp//www.sebsteph.com/Professional/baronets%20class/Rankenfall99/candersonkrome.html.Language. Websters International Dictionary. 1998. Trident Press International, Florida USA.p716.Language politics. Retrieved 30 May 2007 from http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/language_politics.Orwell, George. Politics and the English Language. 1946. Retrieved 30 May 2007 fromhttp//www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/orwell46.html. archetype Essay. The COC Guide to Writing Online Edition. Retrieved 30 May 2007 fromhttp//www.coc.cc.ca.us/departments/ slope/Guide/wizard1_200-599/500-599/517b.html.1 Language. Websters International Dictionary. 1998. Trident Press International, Florida USA. P716.2 Orwell, George. Politics and the English Language. 1946. Retrieved 30 May 2007 from http//www.mtholyoke.edu/a cad/intrel/orwell46.html.3 Language politics. Retrieved 30 May 2007 from http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/language_politics.4 Anderson-Krome, Christopher W. What is Language? Retrieved 30 May 2007 from http//www.sebsteph.com/Professional/Barts%20class/Rankenfall99/candersonkrome.html.5 Sample Essay. The COC Guide to Writing Online Edition. Retrieved 30 May 2007 from http//www.coc.cc.ca.us/departments/ENGLISH/Guide/wizard1_200-599/500-599/517b.html.6 Sample Essay. Ibid.7 Ibid.