Beware of The Doublespeak

“As societies grow decadent, the language grows decadent, too.  Words are used to disguise, not to illuminate, action:  you liberate a city by destroying it.  Words are to confuse, so that at election time people will solemnly vote against their own interests.”  (Gore Vidal) 

“I just want you to know that, when we talk about war, we're really talking about peace.” (George W. Bush)

The word Doublespeak refers to language “that deliberately obscures, disguises, distorts, or reverses the meaning of words.”  Doublespeak often takes the form of euphemisms, such as using the word “downsizing” for layoffs.  “Social distancing” may be considered a euphemism. This form of doublespeak attempts to make the truth more palatable.  Doublespeak is usually an attempt to disguise the nature of the truth.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed that there was “enormous evidence” that the coronavirus originated from a Chinese lab in Wuhan.  The US intelligence community is looking into it, but leans toward the likelihood that the virus outbreak came into human contact at a “wet market.”  Intelligence allies from around the world have reported that it is “highly unlikely” the virus originated in a lab.  Dr. Fauci has cast doubts on the theory that the virus originated in a lab.  The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen. Mark Milley, says the evidence that the virus began in a lab is “inconclusive.”  The US intelligence community “concurs with the wide scientific consensus that the COVID-19 virus was not manmade or genetically modified.”

However, Pompeo insisted yesterday, that “there is significant evidence that this came from the laboratory”…but…he says, “We don’t have certainty.”  Pompeo says both of these statements (“We don’t have certainty”—“there is significant evidence that this came from the laboratory”) can be true. Pompeo went on to say,  “I’ve made them both…They’re all true,” he said.  What’s true?  Lack of certainty?  “Enormous evidence” or “significant evidence” that the virus came from a lab? This is doublespeak and it is misinformation (false and inaccurate information), and disinformation (deception).

The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) named Donald Trump winner of The Doublespeak Award in 2019…”For perpetuating language that is grossly deceptive, evasive, euphemistic, confusing, and self-centered.”  The deadline for this year’s nominations for the Doublespeak Award is September 2020.  I think I’ll nominate Mr. Pompeo.

The azalea blooms...