Doublespeak
Directions: In another book also published in 1948. 1984. Orwell showed how a strong central government can limit and manipulate the language and thus control people's minds. Words that were considered dangerous were removed from the language. A new language. Newspeak, was invented, one with few words. Euphemisms (pleasant words for unpleasant ideas: i.e., perspire for sweat) were used to mislead people. A system called Doublethink was used so that people could accept two contradictory statements as true.
In 1974 the term doublespeak was invented, using Orwell's doublethink and newspeok as its basis. Doublespeak means confusing or deceptive language. It has been found In every profession and occupation from education to advertising to law. But the place where doublespeak proliferates is in government.
After World War II the War Department was renamed the Department of Defense. Can you see the difference?
What do these terms mean?
1. experienced car
2. reduction in force
3. selected out
4. grief therapist
5. inventory shrinkage
6. encore telecast
7. pupil station
8. movement experiences
9. adjusted behavior
10. feedback
11, urban transport specialist