I was reminded of the word duplicitous this morning, which means intentionally false and misleading words and action. It was used in a news article from Britain, a country that embraces the beautiful variety of its language and the necessity of communicating on a higher plain. Britain expects its people will maintain more formalized, expansive oral and written expression. Their newspapers are smart and expect their readers to be.
I delegate to Britain on this topic, having existed since 927 AD and survived numerous conquerings that have hugely impacted the development and maintenance of their language. Britain clings to its language, and exercises the beauty and expansiveness of communication that it affords. They passionately work to preserve the rich heritage of their poetry and prose. But more than that, Britain understands that in order to preserve the language it must be used.
In America, we delegate the more expressive prose to novelists and poets and heady magazines like US News and World Report and The Economist. Ours is a simpler language: typically 4 or 5 syllable words, uncomplicated sentences, short paragraphs, lots of pictures. We want to be sure those on the lower rungs of the communication ladder will understand.
That is unfortunate. We are a new country and our language has shallow roots. Have you noticed how poorly we use words and with such little variety? Ours has become a language of catchy phrases and inside jokes, which sarcastically trivializes some very serious issues. You might want to ask someone who is unemployed if we should be taking Obamanomics seriously. Terms like Watergate and Irangate have become the identifying norm.
It is a juvenile way to communicate and certainly projects a lack of regard for ourselves. We act incapable of maintaining an educated level of communication without watering it down. Our lazy language habits cater to the least educated and least interested citizens. Would it be so wrong to up the ante and leave them behind? If oral and written communication is something our citizens do not want to strive to master, they could always tune in to Entertainment Tonight and the Six O'Clock news.
No great country can stand strong without a great language. It drives us to achieve. Evidently America thinks its citizens will not even modestly participate in a strong, educated and articulate country. And that speaks volumes to the world.
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