Simple Language.

Evening Star, Issue 26153, 15 July 1947, Page 4

Simple Language.

It is refreshing to find interest in good English in Parliament. Mr Clyde Carr, a member with some felicity in the choice of words, was prompted last week to congratulate some of the new members on the quality of their speeches, and inferred that older members would have to “ polish up their English ” to remain on competitive terms. In the British Parliament Sir Alan Herbert perhaps better known as A.P.H., of ‘Punch’— has led the attack on official jargon. This jargon can be spoken as well as written, but perhaps the first onslaught would be better directed at the type of language used in departmental statements known as “.official hand-outs.” These sometimes make Ministers say the most simple things in the most roundabout and obscure way. Sir Alan Herbert -would find scope for his reforming zeal in Wellington equally with Westminster, judging by an example or two which a newspaper correspondent in the north cited the other day. This correspondent found one Minister in a recent statement using “ causative factors ” for “ causes.” Other gems in the collection were “ sabotaging ' the peace issue,” “ not deviating from the attitude,” “ implementing a preobligation,”. and “ liquidating a situation.” One is surprised that among the apparently .missing were the old stand-bys, “ lulled into a sense of false security ” and “ leaving no stone unturned.” Of course, it was Parliament which first turned “ lie ” into “ terminological inexactitude,” and there seems to be something in the political atmosphere which encourages the use of three or four long words when one or two simple ones would do. But, it is only fair to say, the jargon of some •business men’s correspondence is equally inexcusable. The signs of improved ■ speaking in Parliament are to be welcomed, for simple, direct language usually reflects clear tbiuking and encourages the hope of decisive action. And, from a taxpayer’s point of view, economy in the use of words by a member of Parliament is a heartening indication of. a general .tendency toward economies. t