Weasel Speak: The Corporate Politics of Language

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What a great term for this annoying abuse that has wreaked havoc on the English language (and I'm sure some others). But this is such a great read because it touches on a lot of areas in contemporary society:

But that's just the beginning. This is a great point that needs to been opened to a larger public debate:

Does anyone else here agree with Watson? I certainly do. He follows up with these observations:

IMO, he is right on target with this line of thinking, and his observation of how corporate America has polluted not only language but our personal lives as well. Take a look at this:

But this one is not only funny but ominous:

It makes you wonder what kind of people think this junk up. Regardless, this book by Watson makes me so happy. It's about time someone is making this a serious issue.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8514826/site/newsweek/

Amen.

[ July 18, 2005, 05:56: Message edited by: Chandos the Red ]

 

I hear you. Personally, I am breathlessly awaiting the return of telepathy; perfect understanding of all ideas that one would wish to share.

 

I certainly agree corporate speech is jarring, even if slightly amusing. As far as destroying the English language though, I think your average video game / maxim type magazine is on equal footing. Call me a prude, but reading video game magazines as of late sets my teeth on edge just as much as sitting through a business meeting does.

I am off topic though - I do agree with your post.

 

This, the corruption of the language, is why I try not to abbreviate my speech when I say things.

Well, that, and the fact that I almost got banned for leet when I was new here.

 

The “return” of telepathy? I guess I must have missed it when it came out last time.

And Chandos, I think IS a curmudgeonly cry for old-fashioned English. There’s no shame in being curmudgeonly. Curmudgeons of the world unite!

How about this so-called “summary” from a report I am reading at work right now:

 

LMFAO. I can just see that. "Congradulations Mr. and Mrs. Smith, you've just given birth to a Consumer..."

But to reduce that which is human to something that's quick, simple and rapid fire can cause a loss of meaning.

Don't get me wrong, Power point and Weasel Speak have their place, but when over used, they lose their impact. While it is important to learn Power Point, it can't come at the expense of the "Queen's English." Likewise, Street Slang is simply the current dialect of an area, but basic English cannot totally be wiped out...

 

@Harbourboy:
I figure that's how the human race survived before language. Once the population started going up, the constant clamor of thoughts would have been too much for their minds to handle, so they just closed off that part of their brains. Without telepathy, they would have had to develop another form of communication, and so language was born. But that's just my pet theory.

 

At my grocery, there are small carts for the kids. They all have flags that say "Customer In Training."

Start 'em young...

 

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I believe the word you´re looking for is "produced", not "given birth to"...

 

With an organic factory, no less. Now that's technological innovation!

 

Yes, that's better...