Negative influence of politics, sheng on English language

George Orwell, renowned for his books; the Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four

In his essay, ‘Politics and the English language’ (1946), George Orwell, renowned for his books; the Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four, links the decline of the English language to politics and economics.

“Most people who bother with the matter at all would admit that the English language is in a bad way, but it is generally assumed that we cannot by conscious action do anything about it.

Our civilisation is decadent and our language - so the argument runs - must inevitably share in the general collapse.

It follows that any struggle against the abuse of language is a sentimental archaism, like preferring candles to electric light or hansom cabs to aeroplanes.

Underneath this lies the half-conscious belief that language is a natural growth and not an instrument which we shape for our own purposes “.

SYNTAX

All around us confirms this defeatist attitude towards doing that which could restore the English language to its more acceptable state in regard to syntax, especially.

Our situation is not helped by the adaptation of Sheng that has, over time, been pushing English to the periphery. 

As the name suggests, Sheng is a cross between the Kiswahili language and English.

But the problem with Sheng is that it is not even uniform across the areas where it is widely employed.

Sheng spoken in informal settlements is markedly different from that spoken in the lower middle income areas. In affluent areas, Sheng is a rarity.

This in itself lends credence to Orwell’s assertion, “Now, it is clear that the decline of a language must ultimately have political and economic causes; it is not due simply to the bad influence of this or that bad writer.

But an effect can become a cause, reinforcing the original cause and producing the same effect in an intensified form.

A man may take to drink because he feels himself to be a failure and then fail all the more because he drinks”.  He goes on to say “It is rather the same thing that is happening to the English language. It becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts”.

A child growing up with Sheng, often spoken in homes as his or her first contact language, confined to poverty and neglect courtesy of bad governance cannot hope to do much in terms of improving their language growing up and schooling in the same disadvantaged environment.

Their counterparts in affluent areas start speaking English at a tender age and go to the best schools, ending up with a better grasp of the language.

SHENG

But even here, issues come up. There is a world of difference between spoken and written English.

So, while kids from affluent backgrounds speak impressive English, most are poor writers.  Social Media, our convergence point, also throws the occasional spanner in the works.

It is a forum where there are no rules. There is more Vitriol, more falsehoods than substance on social media yet, sadly, it is what determines the tempo at which news, real or fake, flows.

Not just the young generation spend a lot of time on social media for they are joined there by the cream of academe.

But what impact has the latter group had in shaping young minds? What is their contribution to better language and truthfulness? Almost zero, I would say.

They have allowed themselves to be swept by the vile political currents.

The political elite has taken to social media, but like US President Donald Trump, use the foulest and atrocious language.

They really do not care as long they convey their messages. Little wonder then that Trump has issues with conventional media.

DETERMINATION

“Modern English,” lamented Orwell,” especially written English, is full of bad habits which spread by imitation and which can be avoided if one is willing to take the necessary trouble.

If one gets rid of these habits one can think more clearly, and to think clearly is a necessary first step toward political regeneration: so that the fight against bad English is not frivolous and is not the exclusive concern of professional writers.”

Yes, there is something you can do about English; the learners' medium of instruction.