...not quite but I am having PC problems which so apologies for the lack of posting - likely to be the case for a few days yet.
But while I'm on - worth bringing to your attention the Centre for Policy Studies 2008 Lexicon - a Guide to Contemporary Newspeak. 12-18 months ago Conservative Home carried a piece entitled 'Lefty Lexicon' addressing many of the same linguistic traits but with the implication that this was a disease of the left. Despite being on the political right the CPS study isn't as blatantly partisan and Jill Kirby's introduction acknowledges that this isn't a problem confined to any particular party. A few personal favourites:
Awareness (need to raise):
- announcement in place of action.
Bandwagon:
- something a political opponent is jumping on when he is closely in tune with public opinion.
Benchmark: used to suggest that measuring a problem is the same as doing something about it. Used interchangeably with target.
Conversation (call for a public): a suggestion used to conceal the fact that a politician has no policy
Cost-benefit analysis (often rigorous): back-of-the-envelope calculation to prove original hypothesis.
Debate (call for a): used to imply that talking about a problem is the same as solving a problem.
...and that's only a selection to 'D', you get the idea. Orwell is spinning as we speak. Read more here...
But while I'm on - worth bringing to your attention the Centre for Policy Studies 2008 Lexicon - a Guide to Contemporary Newspeak. 12-18 months ago Conservative Home carried a piece entitled 'Lefty Lexicon' addressing many of the same linguistic traits but with the implication that this was a disease of the left. Despite being on the political right the CPS study isn't as blatantly partisan and Jill Kirby's introduction acknowledges that this isn't a problem confined to any particular party. A few personal favourites:
Awareness (need to raise):
- announcement in place of action.
Bandwagon:
- something a political opponent is jumping on when he is closely in tune with public opinion.
Benchmark: used to suggest that measuring a problem is the same as doing something about it. Used interchangeably with target.
Conversation (call for a public): a suggestion used to conceal the fact that a politician has no policy
Cost-benefit analysis (often rigorous): back-of-the-envelope calculation to prove original hypothesis.
Debate (call for a): used to imply that talking about a problem is the same as solving a problem.
...and that's only a selection to 'D', you get the idea. Orwell is spinning as we speak. Read more here...
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