EN 1700 Lecture Notes - Doublespeak, Louis Althusser, Doublethink
Document Summary
Lecture 16 the politics of language feb 08. Language is the most important human tool we have. We use it to define our self towards other species. Language is essential for the construction of reality. Without language it would be difficult to recognize the existence of an object, event or feeling. Sapir-whorf hypothesis of language: language conditions thinking, language is the shaper of ideas, we experience social reality in ways that the language habits of our community predispose us to. Language is the shaper of ideas and functions as a guide to how we analyze the world. All observers are not lead by the same physical evidence, to the same picture of the universe. Every language conveys to its users certain points of view. Looks at the close and neutral relationship between thought and language. There"s no question that orwell sees clearly that language can be abused. Can be used not to communicate but to confuse.