School Sucks Podcast #103: Discovering Doublespeak! (Part Two)

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Uploaded by on Sep 21, 2011

http://schoolsucks.podomatic.com/

With a focus on the intellectually insulting tactics of the mainstream media, I discuss an often overlooked form of doublespeak: the cacophemism (aka malphemism or dysphemism).

In language, dysphemism (from the Greek dys δύς "mis-" and pheme φήμη "reputation"), malphemism (in Latin malus "bad"), and cacophemism (in Greek kakos κακός "bad") refer to the usage of an intentionally harsh word or expression instead of a polite one. -Wikipedia

Defining attributes of doublespeak:
-misleads
-distorts reality
-pretends to communicate
-avoids or shifts responsibility
-makes the negative appear positive
-creates a false verbal map of the world
-limits, conceals, corrupts, and prevents thought
-makes the unpleasant appear attractive or tolerable
-creates incongruity between reality and what is said or not said
(William Lutz, Doublespeak)

Bumper Music:
"That's Not My Name" The Ting Tings

Look Closer:

The Doublespeak Dictionary by Leslie Starr O'Hara
http://www.thedoublespeakdictionary.com/

Doublespeak: From Revenue Enhancement to Terminal Living : How Government, Business, Advertisers, and Others Use Language to Deceive You, by William Lutz
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2151216.Doublespeak

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