A Discussion on George Orwell

The English language is broken and misused. Orwell tells us “Modern English, especially written English is full of bad habits which spread by imitation and which can be avoided if one is willing to take the necessary trouble” (Orwell p. 529).* This line symbolizes what most of Orwell’s piece is about proving it to be a clear thesis. Orwell criticizes Modern English for its bad and inaccurate use of language and words. The effect can become the cause of “bad English”. We copy each other when we speak and write; therefore, bad habits are spread by imitating each other as Orwell tells. Instead of "foolish thoughts" being a result of language, language has become a result of "foolish thoughts”. He goes onto say that, vagueness and loss of meaning is the most evident characteristic of English writing. There is a lack of imagery and the figurative language no longer gives a connection to images and “concrete thoughts”. Orwell declares that the destruction of the English language has come from political causes and economic causes. He argues that the political writers of modern times use vocabulary that isn’t precise and necessary and the result is a lack of precision and a forming of extreme vagueness. Orwell tells us in modern time it is especially true that “…political writing is bad writing” (Orwell p. 536). One of the main points of Orwell’s argument is that we overuse many different parts of the English language. Orwell states that what is wrong with the English language does not have to deal with grammar or syntax, it is our use of overindulgent or pretentious words that can be simplified with short English words that already exist, the over use of metaphors, similes, or other figures of speech that we are used to seeing, operators, and meaningless words. Orwell argues that we should not use metaphors that we have already used and are used to seeing in print. Orwell gives good examples of overused metaphors that most people see in daily writing. He argues...