Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
What is the longest word you can think of?
And if you are like most people, the 1964 Mary Poppin's film would have come to mind. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, "the biggest word you've ever heard." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pu1adxqUAg
Such a word would probably even make George Orwell's head spin. The use of big words whose meaning is relatively simple. His argument would be, Why use such a complex word when the definition is just as good? The definition is straight to the point and simple. "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious...the sounds of it is something quite atrocious," but all it means it extraordinarily good and wonderful.
In his essay "Politics and the English Language," Orwell writes of how the original use of language is diminishing as people are manipulating their word choice to present an intended impression on the audience. https://faculty.washington.edu/rsoder/EDLPS579/HonorsOrwellPoliticsEnglishLanguage.pdf
It's the idea that communication is no longer for the sake of communication but rather like a secret code. Something we have to decode through layers of possible meanings to try and make out what the writer is actually trying to say. Orwell presents this essay in a satirical manner where he breaks the very rules he discusses like not using big words, having long sentences, and the use of overused metaphors whose imagery is lacking. It's to 'shine light' on how communication gets so caught up in writing the most academic text to the point where the meaning is prioritized less than the large words. Words that are supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
And if you are like most people, the 1964 Mary Poppin's film would have come to mind. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, "the biggest word you've ever heard." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pu1adxqUAg
Such a word would probably even make George Orwell's head spin. The use of big words whose meaning is relatively simple. His argument would be, Why use such a complex word when the definition is just as good? The definition is straight to the point and simple. "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious...the sounds of it is something quite atrocious," but all it means it extraordinarily good and wonderful.
In his essay "Politics and the English Language," Orwell writes of how the original use of language is diminishing as people are manipulating their word choice to present an intended impression on the audience. https://faculty.washington.edu/rsoder/EDLPS579/HonorsOrwellPoliticsEnglishLanguage.pdf
It's the idea that communication is no longer for the sake of communication but rather like a secret code. Something we have to decode through layers of possible meanings to try and make out what the writer is actually trying to say. Orwell presents this essay in a satirical manner where he breaks the very rules he discusses like not using big words, having long sentences, and the use of overused metaphors whose imagery is lacking. It's to 'shine light' on how communication gets so caught up in writing the most academic text to the point where the meaning is prioritized less than the large words. Words that are supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
I enjoyed the creativity in your post and found it intriguing to read! Although I do agree with the majority of your points, I thought that in Orwell's article the metaphors he used were original and worked to enrich his points. I interpreted his not to cut out ALL big words, but instead to be selective and meaningful in how you use them. Overall, I love that you chose a word that most people have been exposed to since a young age. This highlights how improper use of the english language surrounds us starting early on.
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