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Originally Posted by SaintessHeart
With the repetition of big words, is English slowly becoming "Ingsoc", or is it just that people are being taught to simplify? Or is it that cognitive dissonance encourages us to ignore and not understand what we don't like to hear?
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Since you brought up George Orwell, you may as well read his views about
Politics and the English Language.
More importantly, refer to his Six Rules for clear writing:
1) Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
2) Never use a long word where a short one will do.
3) If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4) Never use the passive when you can use the active.
5) Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or jargon if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
6) Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
Keep it clear, keep it simple, keep it short.
And always, always, always say what you mean. Don't hide behind euphemisms.
I find that when you can't express a big idea in a few short words, then you likely don't understand your idea as well as you think.
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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. If one gets rid of these habits one can think more clearly, and to think clearly is a necessary first step toward political regeneration.
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In short: Clarity of writing follows clarity of thought.