George Orwell at the BBC
Have you ever used jargon when explaining something simple? Or how about the opposite, when you simplify a difficult subject so that anyone can understand it? These two diverging ways of communicating have been the subject of many debates. One side embraces complexity, and the other, simplicity.
Let's look at both sides.
Defence of complexity
The academic Judith Butler is famous for her complex writing style. She often uses specialized language and has gone as far as to invent dozens of words. In her defense of complex writing, Butler argues that it is necessary to express difficult new concepts that conventional language cannot.
In short, it is everyone’s duty and right to help the language evolve.
Defence of simplicity
On the flip side, George Orwell once wrote that language reflects the civilization that uses it. In his view, the overuse of needlessly complex vocabulary and bad idioms is the result of a lazy mind, or perhaps indicative that the person speaking has no idea what they are talking about.
He developed a set of simple rules to follow:
- i. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
- I will utilize this strategy. → I’ll use this strategy.
- ii. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
- My house is located in Canada → My house is in Canada.
- iii. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
- The report was given to me by my colleague. → My colleague gave me the report.
- iv. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
- We need to leverage our assets to increase the ROI → We need to use our resources to increase the return.
Complex vs. simple in practice
Sometimes you will encounter someone using business language to describe their weekend:
“I went skiing in order to maximize my physical potential.”
Compared to:
“I went skiing to get more fit and healthy.”
The latter version is a lot more relatable, even in the business world.
The former version makes the speaker sound like a machine. It might even make the listener uncomfortable.
There is nothing wrong with using complex language to express difficult concepts, but it needs to be used in the appropriate context. If you are talking with your colleagues about topics in your industry or field, then you can and should use complex language.
On the other hand, when Butler published her defense of her writing style in The New York Times, she used language that could be understood by the vast majority of readers. She knew her audience, and you should as well.
So, use complex language only when necessary, and only when the listener will understand it.
For more tips on how to express your ideas in a clear way, read about how not to over-complicate your English.
If you are taking a speaking test, talking to a client, or talking with your teacher, simple and direct language is probably better. However, don't be too simple. Talk with your teacher to find the right balance.