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Politics and the English Language

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Politics and the English Language

By: George Orwell
Narrated by: Peter Noble
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About this listen

The emotional urges which are inescapable, and are perhaps even necessary to political action, should be able to exist side by side with an acceptance of reality.

Politics and the English Language is widely considered one of Orwell's most important essays.

Within this essay, Orwell criticises the 'ugly and inaccurate' written English of his time and examines the connection between political orthodoxies and the debasement of language. The essay focuses on political language, which, according to Orwell, 'is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind'. Bad English, he believed, was a vehicle for oppressive ideology.

Written as it was just after World War II, Politics and the English Language provides a stark warning of how important language is to our everyday lives.

Public Domain (P)2021 SNR Audio Communication & Social Skills Essays Personal Development Political Science Politics & Government Words, Language & Grammar Nonfiction Socialism

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Around 40 min if you listen to it. The narrator's voice is lovely and I like his pace. If you think great writing is one with fanciful words or if you think you didn't understand a long-winded piece of writing because you're limited you should read this book. More than that, we have to think about words and how we may be deceived by them. They can transform the reality if well applied and used sincerely. "The greatest enemy of clear language is insincerity." Loved that. Short and sweet but worthwhile.

Don't be fooled by the brevity of this pamphlet

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He is describing what the French call “langue de bois”, which anyone who’s heard a politician speaking will recognise. Don’t think he’d forgive me for use French! Much he says is sound. He admits he’s probably sinned too -schizophrenic =serious psychotic illness!

Orwell, thought-provoking as usual.

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One of the most influential essays of the last century. Orwell is the master prose stylist. The clarity & sharpness of his prose is enviable. I was also struck at how relevant/prescient this essay remains.

Brilliant essay

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