An interesting article called Attack of the Weasel Words caught my eye a couple of weeks ago.  I didn't blog about it at the time, but it's been on my mind ever since.   The gist of the article is that public language is being strangled by cliches, management-speak, and what the subject of the article calls "weasel words." If you're reading this blog, chances are you work in the IT industry (or at least close enough to it to be interested in Microsoft blogs), so I would be surprised if you can't relate.  Who hasn't gotten a laugh out of playing buzzword bingo on the boss or using the web economy bullsh*t generator? However, my enthusiastic agreement with the article's thesis turned to abject horror when, on about page 2, I realized that I was part of the problem.  Most of the blame for the deterioration of language seems to be sitting at the feet of technologists and business people.  Being both of those things, I guess I never really stood a chance, did I?
 
Sometimes people use this kind of language to be deceptive, as Charlie Calvert discusses on CodeFez today (in an amusing coincidence, Charlie and I seem to have been bothered by the same things today).  However, weasels are weasels, and they will use whatever means necessary -- language or otherwise -- go meet their ends.  No, I'm more concerned here with us well intentioned folk that are simply allowing our ability to effectively communicate atrophy.
 
As I did a little research on this topic, I came across this interesting article, which also blasts the commercialization of language.  The author draws comparisons to the "newspeak" of Orwell's 1984, which is eerily apt.  Are we really stunting the English language, and, if so, will stunting language eventually stunt thought?  Prior to penning 1984, Orwell's expressed expressed his thoughts on the topic of what would become newspeak in a famous essay called "Politics and the English Language." We could all use a refresher course in old George's 6 rules of language.
 
Orwell would be particularly mortified by how people communicate here inside of Microsoft.  We're a big company and we are a technology company, and we sound like it when we talk to each other.  We drive things.  We implement stuff.  We engage.  We envision scenarios.  If we're really enthusiastic about something, it's always super.  We don't talk like this to be deceptive or otherwise insincere, mind you.  Perhaps it's a matter of efficiency.  Why use several words to say what you mean if everyone in the room will understand you in one word? And, well, when in Rome...
 
However, I hereby opt out.  I'm mending my ways.  No more newspeak for me.  Even though people in meetings are likely to stare at me in annoyance when I use all those words, I believe it's for the greater good.
 
I encourage you to join me in this endeavor.  Let's bring back English.  Oh, perhaps you don't understand, so let me translate for you: I intend to drive an initiative promoting the use of clear communication.  I invite you to engage in this scenario with me.
 
Anyone who catches me spouting newspeak is hereby granted permission to pop me on the nose with a rolled up copy of 1984.