Four Highlights from "Politics and the English Language"

There were a few interesting things I drew from this article. These are my highlights:

1) A decline in the English language would affect non-English speakers--that is, the rest of the world. If George Orwell was--and continues to be--right "that the English language is in a bad way" and that it's only getting worse, we have a lot to fear. Because, as Orwell says, language, politics, and economics are related, and each affects the other--often for the worse. If the English language is falling, it will only pull down the rest of the world; like it or not, English is becoming a world language of sorts. Many desire to learn it, mostly for economic reasons. I've met many who either want to learn English themselves, or hope their kids pick it up so that they "live a better life." Honestly, I didn’t see a clear argument as to how economics and language are related in this essay. But if they are, it would be odd that people’s pursuit of a better life through the English language would actually take away from the world as a whole.

2) It’s inherent that an author writing about the declining state of the English language believes himself to be, at least in part, above the very vices he points out. Right? This was my first reaction. Who does George Orwell think he is to be an authority on this subject? Orwell must believe himself to be a good author. And, well, he is. He knows this and he knows others know this. If he weren’t, he wouldn’t be renowned. If he weren’t, this essay would have been forgotten. If he weren’t, we would laugh him off as highly pretentious. Toward the end of this essay, he addressed this issue from the side: “Look back through this essay, and for certain you will find that I have again and again committed the very faults I am protesting against.” He’s honest and recognizes his shortcomings. Even though he’s pointing out his faults here, this line only wins him credibility.

3) Orwell calls out some of my own faults in writing, especially when it comes to my academic papers. Enough said.

4) Orwell criticizes political language. I was so glad to see Orwell point his finger at political language: “Political language ... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidarity to pure wind.” I get frustrated with some of the things politicians say. The outright absurdity of some of it makes me want to yell back at whatever screen I’m watching a speech or address on. Recent experience with a certain North American Division of Seventh-Day Adventists official who refused to give straight answers at a Q & A session is fresh and adds to my willingness to read criticism of politicians.

-Alexander Hirata