um, you know, like, i dunno...
«americans may mean what they say, but they can't always summon the language to say what they mean.» is this a problem? rather! and quite serious.i'd also suggest another look at george orwell's brilliant essay politics and the english language... from 1946 (!):
«most people who bother with the matter at all would admit that the english language is in a bad way, but it is generally assumed that we cannot by conscious action do anything about it. our civilization is decadent and our language -- so the argument runs -- must inevitably share in the general collapse. it follows that any struggle against the abuse of language is a sentimental archaism, like preferring candles to electric light or hansom cabs to aeroplanes. underneath this lies the half-conscious belief that language is a natural growth and not an instrument which we shape for our own purposes.»
«the english language becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts. the point is that the process is reversible. modern english, especially written english, is full of bad habits which spread by imitation and which can be avoided if one is willing to take the necessary trouble. if one gets rid of these habits one can think more clearly, and to think clearly is a necessary first step toward political regeneration: so that the fight against bad english is not frivolous and is not the exclusive concern of professional writers.»
