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Politics and the English Language
- Narrated by: Peter Noble
- Length: 42 mins
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Politics and the English Language
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Summary
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.
What listeners say about Politics and the English Language
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Erica
- 12-12-22
Don't be fooled by the brevity of this pamphlet
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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 29-01-22
Fascinating
One of Orwell's finest essays - perhaps one of the best essays ever written - this lays out the relationship between the politics of the day and the words we write and speak. Excellently read by Peter Noble.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Mary Carnegie
- 10-03-23
Orwell, thought-provoking as usual.
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!
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