7 Questions
What are the different groups that contribute to the battle over English language usage?
The different groups that contribute to the battle over English language usage are purists, vulgarians, grammarians, officials, and journalists.
Which is considered a greater enemy to good English - journalists or officialese?
Officialese is considered a greater enemy to good English than journalists.
What are some of the ways in which language is polluted, as per the text?
Language is polluted by vague abstraction, euphemism, and excessive words.
What kind of vocabulary have Americans created to describe poor people?
Americans have created a fine vocabulary to describe poor people.
What should be the characteristics of newspaper English according to the text?
Newspaper English should be specific, emphatic, and concise, with no abstractions.
What kind of style should be rejected as per the text?
Mandarin style, characterized by long sentences and Latin terminology, should be rejected.
How are text editors like surgeons, according to the text?
Text editors are like surgeons who can save facts and make the story more vigorous and healthy.
Study Notes
- English is a battlefield between purists, vulgarians, grammarians, officials, and journalists.
- Journalists are not the only contributors to bad English; officialese is a greater enemy.
- Language is polluted by vague abstraction, euphemism, and excessive words.
- Americans have created a fine vocabulary to describe poor people.
- Text editors have a significant influence on language and must ensure meaning is unmistakable and succinct.
- Newspaper English should be specific, emphatic, and concise, with no abstractions.
- Mandarin style, characterized by long sentences and Latin terminology, should be rejected.
- Text editors are like surgeons who can save facts and make the story more vigorous and healthy.
- Copy can obscure the news due to varying standards among reporters and non-professional sources.
- Text editors must ensure instant comprehension for the reader.
Test your knowledge of language and communication with this quiz! From the battle between purists and vulgarians to the influence of text editors on language, this quiz covers a range of topics related to language and writing. See how much you know about the impact of journalists and officials on bad English, the pollution of language by euphemism and excessive words, and the importance of specific, concise language in newspaper articles. Test your skills and learn something new about language and communication in this engaging quiz.
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