Orwell's Ideas on the English language in his 46 writings

 "Politics and the English Language" is an essay written by George Orwell in 1946. In the essay, Orwell argues that the decline of the English language is closely tied to the decline of political thinking. He believes that poor use of language and vague, meaningless words are used deliberately by politicians and others to deceive and manipulate the public. Orwell argues that clear, precise language is essential for clear, precise thinking, and that the decline of the English language is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. He offers several specific suggestions for improving the use of language in political discourse, including avoiding vague words and phrases, using concrete and specific language, and avoiding jargon and other forms of specialized language.

For instance, he argues that politicians and others often use vague, meaningless words and phrases in order to deceive and manipulate the public. He gives the example of the word "fascism," which he says has become so overused and misused that it has lost all meaning. He also argues that political language is often full of jargon and specialized terms that are designed to exclude those who are not part of the political elite.

Orwell's concerns about the decline of the English language and its effects on political thinking are reflected in his novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four." In the novel, the ruling party, the Party, uses language as a tool of control and manipulation. The Party creates its own version of the English language, known as Newspeak, which is designed to make independent thought impossible by reducing the number of words and limiting the range of ideas that can be expressed. The novel also explores the effects of this kind of language on the individual, as the protagonist, Winston Smith, struggles to maintain his own independent thoughts and ideas in the face of the Party's linguistic control.

Another example can be found in the works of the Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. In his novel "Notes from Underground," Dostoevsky explores the relationship between language and the individual. The novel's protagonist, the Underground Man, is a highly educated and articulate individual who is nevertheless deeply unhappy and disillusioned with the world. The Underground Man is highly critical of the way language is used by others to deceive and manipulate, and he struggles to find a way to express his own thoughts and ideas.

One other example of the relationship between language and power in literature can be found in the works of the Irish playwright and author Samuel Beckett. In his play "Waiting for Godot," Beckett explores the ways in which language is used to exert control and manipulate others. The two main characters, Vladimir and Estragon, are waiting for the arrival of a mysterious figure named Godot, who never appears. In the meantime, they engage in a series of meaningless and often absurd conversations, in which they use language to try to exert control over each other. For example, they often repeat the same phrases and questions over and over, as if by doing so they can somehow gain control over the situation. Ultimately, however, their use of language only serves to reinforce their powerlessness and isolation.

The relationship between language and power is also a central theme in the works of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. In his treatise "On Rhetoric," Aristotle explores the ways in which language can be used to persuade and influence others. He argues that rhetoric, the art of effective communication, is a powerful tool that can be used for good or for ill. According to Aristotle, a skilled rhetorician can use language to persuade an audience to take a particular action or to believe a certain idea. He also warns, however, that rhetoric can be used to deceive and manipulate, and that it is important to use language responsibly and ethically. This idea is reflected in Aristotle's famous dictum that "rhetoric is the art of discovering in any given case the available means of persuasion."

In conclusion, the relationship between language and power is a recurring theme in literature and philosophy. Many writers and thinkers, including George Orwell, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Samuel Beckett, and Aristotle, have explored the ways in which language can be used to exert control and manipulate others. The American linguist Noam Chomsky has also written extensively on this topic, arguing that the use of language is a fundamental aspect of human cognition and that it plays a crucial role in shaping our thoughts and actions. Overall, the relationship between language and power is a complex and multifaceted one, and it continues to be an important subject of study and debate.