Does Language Matter?

do words influence the world?

author george orwell’s most unkosher book-animal farm- left my psyche indelibly scarred. the truism that “all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others”, remains unforgotten more than forty five years later after it was etched into my eyes. this imperfect world vision gave me the skeptical spectacles that no optometrist could provide; a 20/20 vision on discernment. since then, every daily read of the news succumbs me to madeline kahn’s comically crude adage “its twue, its twue.”

mr. orwell’s 1946 essay politics and the english language brings hope for the future. the masterful piece includes the following: “now, it is clear that the decline of a language must ultimately have political and economic causes: it is not due simply to the bad influence of this or that individual writer. but an effect can become a cause, reinforcing the original cause and producing the same effect in an intensified form, and so on indefinitely. a man may take to drink because he feels himself to be a failure, and then fail all the more completely because he drinks. It is rather the same thing that is happening to the english language. It becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts. the point is that the process is reversible.”

if the effort is made, perhaps people will think better. the challenge to modern language can likely be addressed by both the past and the future.

on one hand, modern english be revived from its rot with transfusions of ancient language. old testament words and wisdom of the old testament can lift one out from toiling in foolishness. pop culture, in the past, embraced the bible’s language to much success. the 60s, the byrd’s hit turn! turn! turn! was a re-working from an ecclesiastical poem and the 70s, boney m.’s by the rivers of babylon– psalm 137- was also a huge success. it is quite possible that the language written on parchment and ink can invigorate a language that is ever so more electronically based and occupying cyberspace. this perhaps could slow down the death march of emojis. thumbs up, hearts, birthday cakes, and smiley faces are taking language back to hieroglyphics.

the monster truly confronting modern english is artificial intelligence programs. how will these various programs engage with modern english? will they make it better, keep it the same, or make it worse? will those engaged in the programming embrace mr. orwell’s advice? or, will be have programs which will lead us to ever more increasing foolishness.

two decades from now, someone will write a reflection on mr. orwell’s piece reaching 100 years. will it consist of a birthday cake, a champagne glass, or a sad face? or will it pronounce that orwell was correct and that man cannot read on emojis alone!

be well!!

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