AES137 Doublespeak

“Doublespeak is language designed to evade responsibility, make the unpleasant appear pleasant, the unattractive appear attractive. Basically, it's language that pretends to communicate, but really doesn’t. It’s language that’s designed to mislead, while pretending not to. Doublespeak is not a slip of the tongue, or a mistake in use of language, it’s exactly the opposite. It is language used by people who are very intelligent and very sophisticated in the use of language. And know that you can do an awful lot in language.” -William Lutz-

Doublespeak is how to lie without lying.

The concept of doublespeak first came from the famous book by George Orwell, “1984”. Along with the concept of “doublethink” .

“To know and not to know, to be conscious of complete truthfulness while telling carefully constructed lies.”

This form of misleading language is used often in our world, and you don’t really notice it unless you’re really looking for the signs, and recognize the agendas being pushed through. Doublespeak is often used in the world of politics, marketing and advertising. Because it’s basically all about selling an idea, manipulating you into thinking differently about an issue, even though nothing has truly changed. 

It is good to be aware of this kind of subtle manipulation in everyday life. So when you’re listening to a politician’s speech, or watching an advertisement for something, ask yourself... What exactly is this person saying? Are they trying to dress up an uncomfortable truth or a bad mistake with pretty or overly complicated words? Are they trying to use language in a way that tries to make us sympathise with a disagreeable position? Look for these signs, and listen closely… For the world we live in is filled with half-truths and invisible lies. 

“It’s not what you say, it’s what they hear.”