Why gobbledygook? Why do people speak or write it? In almost all cases that I can think of, it’s because (a) their main aim is not to communicate or (b) they don’t ask: how will I put this so my…
Author: admin
Good Writing Saves Money
Poor writing and communication cost millions each year in wasted time and lost business opportunities. In the USA, an estimated 30% of all business writing is produced to clarify or seek clarification of something already written. A study by the…
Your CV checklist
In hard times, hundreds of people may apply for a single job. Employers get more applications than they can easily handle. If a rapid scan of a CV or covering letter reveals even a few basic spelling errors, it is…
Posted in Uncategorized
Written your monthly novel yet?
“I am a professional writer with thousands of books in circulation …” Poor old James Joyce wrote only three or four!
Listening goes both ways
It’s often said that people who provide services should listen to their clients … It’s not so often said that clients need to listen to those who provide services.
Posted in Uncategorized
Our language lunacy as defined by Orwell
In my last post, I quoted some examples of linguistic lunacy – commingled containers, access controller, disposable mucus recovery unit, etc – and wondered what Orwell would think. In his Politics and the English Language essay, he offered “five specimens of the…
Language lunacy – what would Orwell think?
The English language today – or why George Orwell would need his mucus recovery unit if he had not experienced a suboptimal outcome George Orwell’s essay, ‘Politics and the English Language‘, begins: “Most people who bother with the matter at…
How official language masks human heartbreak
Irish immigration laws may be “robust”, but they are “progressive” – so all is fine and dandy. And if anyone ends up heartbroken, that’s ok, as long as they are not “excessively” heartbroken.
The Queen’s English as spoken by Ryanair’s O’Leary
Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary is a remarkable character (love him, hate him or love/hate him). He’s remarkable both in what he’s achieved (love or hate his methods) and in the way he talks to the world. Here are some examples:…
Posted in Jargon, Language, Words Tagged with: Communication, English, Language, Plain language, Words
Hey, let’s get the Americans to speak the Queen’s English
Did you know that there’s an organisation called the Queen’s English Society? No? Nor did I, until today. On its website, it shouts out its key message – in capital letters (but gentlemen shouldn’t shout, so I won’t inflict them…