Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by dleslie 2704 days ago
I feel like a writer once discussed the power that exists in limiting and controlling the language used in public discourse... /s
2 comments

jpmcglone and dgzl were proposing the opposite of that. Newspeak eliminated words so that some ideas simply could not be expressed. They propose adding words so that dissimilar things can be distinguished from each other - to expand the things that can be (clearly) expressed.
Yes, their concern is about the misuse and/or confusion of a limited lexicon. I understood that they propose adding words; and I suggested that there is power to be found in not doing so. It can be beneficial to some if we are unable to speak precisely and without misunderstanding. It can be beneficial to some to co-opt existing words for new uses.
Doublespeak is too real.
*Newspeak