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Newspeak in George Orwell's 1984

 

            Euphemism: a mild expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh, or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. The fiction of Newspeak introduced in the novel 1984, by George Orwell orchestrates a variety of tones to indicate that when the general atmosphere suffers, the language must suffer equally. In the dominion of a tyrannical government jurisdiction over simple dichotomy lends to restriction of thoughts. The fundamental idea of Newspeak is revealed clearly through its aim to eradicate all shades of meaning, conceptualized in the form of language. A staccato of rhythm with pedantic syllables ceases the need for ruminating upon deep concepts--everything is streamlined, all vernacular concepts are singular. Furthermore the language breaks down redundancy in speech such as bad, horrifying, and unjust no longer pertain meaning, instead they are formally categorized as ungood. The word ungood in Newspeak takes the suffix of good and forces in a negation of "Un" to express all range of thought that is negative. Ultimately it achieves to limit the range of verbal expression in turn limiting suggestive communication. The overall objective gears towards neutralizing dichotomy to ensure maximum obedience.
             Newspeaks cardinal rule commands that with the limitation of common vocabulary, it follows that "what cannot be said, then cannot be thought." This turns into a paradoxical debate with mind over matter--does dominion over speech necessarily rule our thoughts? The relation materializes with Ludwig Wittgenstein's philosophy "The limits of my language mean the limits to my world." Newspeaks aim is to achieve obedient patriotism through the convection of language. Orwell softens the tones of words in the novel, and adds hints of irony throughout the names of the four ministries. The Minipax (Ministry of Peace) holds sovereignty in ceaseless wars.


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