An Elaboration On Clarity...

I thought you all might enjoy this example I came across in my readings for my online WR121 class (at CCC). It is from George Orwell's essay on Politics and the English language in which he criticises politicians for using elaborate, empty words instead clear concise ones that state the truth of what they are saying and doing.

Well written English that is both poetical and meaningful:

I returned and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. (Ecclesiastes 9:11)

Orwell's translation of what the same ideas would be written like in modern times:

Objective consideration of contemporary phenomena compels the conclusion that success of failure in competitive activities exhibits no tendency to be commensurate with innate capacity, but that a considerable element of the unpredictable must invariably be taken into account. (538, The Writer's Presence)

And now let us hear the conclusion of this whole matter...People can easily sound educated by using words that no one else understands. What do you think?

~ Janna Rae