Why George Orwell's Ideas About Language Still Matter for Lawyers
22 Pages
Posted: 13 Jun 2007
Last revised: 22 Oct 2007
University of Louisville - Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
Abstract
This article examines George Orwell's theories about language and applies them to contemporary legal discourse in the United States. It concludes that Orwell's advice about the importance of clear, plain English comports with today's accepted legal writing style. However, his warnings about deceptive language in legal and political discourse have not been well heeded. The article suggests that lawyers can assume a role in changing that.
Keywords: George Orwell, Orwellian, language, plain English, legal writing, concise, succinct, prolix, gobbledygook, Newspeak, 1984, Oceania, Winston Smith, politics, clichés, trite, passive voice, active voice, jargon, legalese, foreign words, euphemisms, evasion
Suggested Citation:
Suggested Citation
Fischer, Judith D., Why George Orwell's Ideas About Language Still Matter for Lawyers. University of Louisville School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper Series No. 2007-02; Montana Law Review, Vol. 68, p. 129, 2007. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=990624
