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  • Essay / Doublespeak Definition - 885

    tool that has made it easier and more feasible for people to try to convey more meaning through words, first spoken and then written in certain languages. Since the appearance of language, it has been one of the most important tools used by humans to communicate with each other. Imagine what life would be like if we didn't have language as an instrument to interact with each other. Additionally, language is often seen as an integral part of culture; and most humans are well aware of the importance of language in society; however, can language be consumed to provide transparency of thoughts and implication of intentions? Sometimes it feels like we are the ones who are ruining the way we speak, communicate and think. A good example would be to consider doublespeak, a term that was first encountered in the early 1980s, specifically in George Orwell's book “1984”. In our context, doublespeak means the duplicity of speech, where it “can be defined as intentionally ambiguous, deceptive, or evasive language” (Glissmeyer, 1). Orwell explains that language, “like any other tool, can be misused, not to build but to destroy, not to communicate but to confuse, not to clarify but to obscure, not to direct but to mislead.” Moreover, language is a unique tool used not only to communicate but to apprehend and even give shape to reality” (qtd. in Lutz 15). In other words, doublespeak involves a deviation in meaning and is often used to express respect, cover up elements of negativity, and hide the "truth." To begin with, doublespeak is sometimes used to avoid communicating disrespectful remarks to others, particularly through the use of euphemisms. It's also known as a kind of double...... middle of paper ...... hey, pay to travel to Germia Park. He claimed that the municipality did not earn much money from these retirees who paid the bus ticket. At this point, Mustafa's reaction was obvious: he was trying to avoid the topic of discussion by continually mentioning that this issue had been raised as an issue for over a year. However, as human beings, we are sometimes pushed to lie to be nice to others, which is somewhat ironic. Doublespeak is sometimes the simplest solution. Yes, telling the truth is the ideal and these are indeed ethical means; However, we live in a world of dystopias where ideals are just illusions. The goal of doublespeak is to hide the truth, to make evil seem noble. As Lutz writes: “Ultimately, doublespeak does not promote or extend thought but prevents or limits it.” (56).