June 10, 2005

Learn the Lexicon

Doublespeak is not a word out of an Orwell novel or essay, even though it sounds like one, and has all the characteristics of one. But it is a perfect word to describe what politicians, corporate spokespeople, PR hacks, advertising executives, corporate lobbyists and people like White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan do every day of their lives.

For an excellent lexicon of doublespeak words, I refer you to the Sourcewatch section of the website for the Center for Media & Democracy. Knowing these words will help in deciphering what these people actually mean when they say things like "aerial ordnance", "food police", "free speech zone", and my favorite "servicing the target."

THANKS TO PROF. WILLIAM LUTZ OF RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, READ IT HERE
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Doublespeak

PERUSE THE CENTER FOR MEDIA & DEMOCRACY HERE
http://www.prwatch.org/

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