Technology | Are we entering the time of Newspeak?

In George Orwell’s classic novel 1984, the Government created the controlled language of Newspeak. Newspeak eliminated undesirable words and stripped the remaining words of secondary meanings.

In the real-world, workplaces have created their own controlled languages. Jargon is taking over, especially with technology. Another area where controlled language is prevalent is diversity and inclusion. Organisations decree the use of the right terms and punish the use of wrong words. They say it’s to increase harmony; to support diverse workforces. But as more words become taboo, how do we remember what to say?

To build more inclusive workplaces we need to step back. Engaging in doublespeak to avoid causing diversity related offence isn’t inclusive. It means we waste time trying to understand what people are referring to, rather than what they’re actually saying.

British English isn’t standardised, with regional, age and cultural differences. Using inclusive language doesn’t mean removing potentially offensive terms and decreeing set naming conventions. It requires an understanding of the audience, plain English and the elimination of labels.