Orwellian Newspeak Is Becoming Politically Correct Speech In America
One of the most powerful ideas put forth by George Orwell in his book Nineteen Eighty-Four is that of Newspeak.On the surface Newspeak is an attempt to simplify language by reducing the number of words in use and by simplifying the rules governing their use.On a deeper level Newspeak is a tool used by the Party to control the thoughts of individuals and to channel what thoughts are left down a politically correct path.
“Don’t you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it.” This was told to Winston Smith, the story’s protagonist by Syme, the language expert who’s helping to craft Newspeak.
During an interrogation session that takes place later Smith is told by O’Brien, his nemesis, “We are not interested in those stupid crimes that you have committed.The Party is not interested in the overt act: the thought is all we care about.” This further demonstrates the idea that the primary purpose of Newspeak is to control the thoughts of people.
The correlations between politically correct speech and Newspeak quickly become apparent after even a cursory examination of the two.In a recent edition of Mark Twain’s classic book, Huckleberry Finn, the word “nigger” was replaced by the word “slave” because a University professor and a book publisher caved in to political correctness.While the plot of the story remains the same, the emotion generated by that great story teller, Mark Twain, will certainly lesson with the change of just that one word.
This isn’t to say that the word “nigger” isn’t a vile and defamatory word.
Politically correct speech is largely an attempt to regulate what can, and more importantly, what cannot be talked about.An excellent example of this was made when President George W.Bush said in a speech he delivered on September 20, 2011 dealing with the 911 attacks, “Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists.” The fear of being labeled unpatriotic silenced many critics of the Bush administration for too long and that lack of criticism enabled Bush to carry out an agenda that many people now regret.
Another insidious aspect of Newspeak that’s taking place in the English language is that of changing the meaning of words and phrases.
Largely in response to the 911 attacks the U.S.established the Department of Homeland Security (D.H.S.).D.H.S.has become famous for screening passengers at airports with body scanners that emit low levels of radiation that’s been rejected for use in Europe due to safety concerns.People can opt for a pat down rather than go through the body scanners.But many people describe the pat downs as akin to being molested.The Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, has argued against taking tougher measures for patrolling America’s porous border with Mexico despite the ease with which illegal immigrants, drugs and potential terrorists can unknowingly enter the country.Considering these and other concerns not listed here the question becomes do Americans feel more secure because of the Department of Homeland Security? Or is the Department of Homeland Security a Newspeak way of saying the Department of Citizen Repression?
The term “crimestop” in Newspeak refers to the ability of a person to shut down their own thoughts if those thoughts are getting close to being politically incorrect or “thoughtcrimes” as it’s known in Newspeak.There’s a part of the human thought process that’s tied directly to language.Just as the Party used Newspeak as a tool to channel people’s thoughts, the governing establishment uses politically correct speech as a tool to help channel the thoughts of real people today.
Whether George Orwell was divining the future in his book Nineteen Eighty-Four or merely commenting on the world as it was in 1948, he paints a powerful picture which should be taken as a warning.Beware of politically correct speech, it carries the seed of Newspeak.