“The horror… the horror…” -Colonel Kurtz, Apocalypse Now (1979)
When I see people who describe themselves as a “people person” or a “dynamic candidate” I feel a little like Kurtz did as he lay dying on the jungle floor. The horror he was speaking of was the horror of war, but is it really any worse than the horror of bad English?
I am thinking in particular of the language of employers and those seeking employment. Job ads, resumes, and cover letters are littered with language so unoriginal and overused that it is devoid of meaning. A resume is not complete if it fails to mention the job-seeker’s willingness to be a “team player.” And employers must think they will attract the wrong candidate if they do not specify that they require someone who is “detail-oriented.” This type of language is ubiquitous; It’s as if you must include a requisite number of bullshit phrases to avoid seeming suspiciously out of touch with the rest of society.
When I was in grade ten, I was forced — school work at this age is never accepted willingly — to read George Orwell’s “Politics and the English Language.” It stuck with me and has influenced my idea of proper writing ever since. Principle among his claims was that language should be clear and concise. Orwell concludes with six tenets that every writer should adhere to:
(i) Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
(ii) Never use a long word where a short one will do.
(iii) If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
(iv) Never use the passive where you can use the active.
(v) Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
(vi) Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
These are useful rules for writers of any pedigree. Those who have a mastery of words can be especially prone to complicating their writing; Self-indulgence occurs where simplicity should prevail.
Bad writing can be found in many places. Orwell directed his ire towards politicians, his perennial antagonists. Politicians are certainly deserving targets. Their language is a fog in which you will strain to find substance or intention. They have made the use of unclear language and stale metaphors an art form. Just try and say so much while meaning so little. It’s quite challenging.
There are many whose writing could be more clear and concise. However, my main problem is with those who intentionally write with no originality. In this article I have mentioned politicians, employers, and job-seekers. It should be noted that job-seekers do so only because they feel it is expected. Human resources, those who make the rules of the game which the rest of us must play, are to shoulder the blame. Clear and original language should be rewarded and trite language condemned.
I hope this post is a reflection of my desire to champion good writing. I fear it is a tirade written by a bitter man whose attempts at finding employment have so far been unsuccessful. I’ll leave that for you to decide.
Assorted Timbits 