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Linguistics, Style and Writing in the 21st Century - with Steven Pinker

The Royal Institution・39 minutes read

Bad writing is prevalent due to intentional theories of bureaucrats, nerds, and pseudo-intellectuals using gibberish, impacting language quality and digital media's influence on young Americans. The need for modern writing advice based on linguistic science, clear communication, and minimizing unnecessary explanations is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of classic style and clarity in conveying information effectively.

Insights

  • Many scientists produce poor writing despite having nothing to hide or prove, challenging the theory that bad writing is always intentional.
  • The curse of knowledge, where writers assume readers share their level of understanding, can hinder effective writing by omitting crucial explanations, emphasizing the importance of clarity and empathy in communication.

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Recent questions

  • How does bad writing impact communication?

    Bad writing can hinder effective communication by using complex language, cliches, and passive voice, leading to confusion and misinterpretation.

  • What advice can improve writing quality?

    Writing advice should focus on linguistic science, cognitive research, and historical usage studies to enhance clarity and coherence in writing.

  • Why is the passive voice criticized in writing?

    The passive voice is criticized for creating vague and incompetent prose, hindering clarity and direct communication in writing.

  • How can writers combat the curse of knowledge?

    Writers can combat the curse of knowledge by empathizing with readers, seeking feedback, and revising drafts to enhance clarity and understanding in their writing.

  • What is the difference between prescriptivists and descriptivists in language usage?

    Prescriptivists advocate strict adherence to language rules for excellence, while descriptivists believe rules are arbitrary and people should write as they please, focusing on effective communication over rigid rules.

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Summary

00:00

The Impact of Bad Writing on Communication

  • Bad writing is a prevalent issue, with examples like legalese and academese causing difficulties.
  • Theories suggest bad writing is intentional, with bureaucrats using gibberish to avoid accountability, nerds seeking revenge, and pseudo-intellectuals trying to impress with complex language.
  • Despite theories, many scientists produce poor writing despite having nothing to hide or prove.
  • The impact of digital media on language is debated, with concerns about its effects on young Americans and the quality of writing.
  • Complaints about language decline have been ongoing throughout history, with each era expressing similar concerns.
  • Writing is challenging due to the lack of immediate feedback from readers, making it a form of pretense and craftsmanship.
  • Traditional writing advice, like "The Elements of Style," offers valuable tips but may not be suitable for modern writing due to outdated advice and arbitrary rules.
  • Modern writing advice should be based on linguistic science, cognitive research, and historical usage studies to improve writing quality.
  • Classic style of writing emphasizes clear communication, treating readers as equals, and focusing on presenting information effectively.
  • Effective writing should focus on showing the subject matter rather than discussing the process of studying it, minimizing unnecessary explanations and hedging language.

14:12

"Language: Tool for Converting Thoughts to Words"

  • A letter of recommendation praised a woman as a quick study, sparking a debate on the true extent of her abilities.
  • The use of hedging language, like "virtually adore," is common in bureaucratic settings to cover oneself, contrasting with a more direct approach.
  • Classic prose relies on the cooperative nature of conversation, allowing for implied meanings and connections without explicit statements.
  • Professional narcissism, seen in academia and other fields, leads to a focus on the activities of a profession rather than the subject matter it deals with.
  • Many media outlets focus on superficial aspects like box office numbers rather than delving into the actual content of movies or music.
  • Classic prose avoids cliches, as they can hinder visual understanding and lead to mixed metaphors, impacting clarity.
  • The passive voice, often criticized, serves a purpose in English language design by allowing for varied word order to convey ideas effectively.
  • The passive voice can be beneficial when the target of the reader's attention is the acted upon rather than the doer, enhancing coherence in writing.
  • Strunk and White and George Orwell caution against overusing the passive voice, highlighting its tendency to create vague and incompetent prose.
  • Language functions as a tool to convert a web of thoughts into a linear string of words, with the order of words in a sentence crucial for conveying information effectively.

28:44

"Curse of Knowledge: Impact on Writing Clarity"

  • A messenger arrives from Corinth, revealing he was once a shepherd on Mount Kithaeron and was given a baby by another shepherd from the Laius household.
  • The baby was passed on to the messenger by the other shepherd, who had been instructed to dispose of the child.
  • The passage utilizes three consecutive passive sentences to maintain a coherent flow of information.
  • The passive voice allows for a smooth transition between the messenger, the baby, and the other shepherd in the storytelling.
  • English syntax offers writers various constructions to introduce ideas in a digestible order for readers.
  • The passive voice is often prevalent in poor writing due to writers working backward from their knowledge, leading to disjointed narratives.
  • The curse of knowledge hinders effective writing by making writers assume readers possess the same level of understanding.
  • The curse of knowledge results in writers omitting explanations, details, or logic that may seem obvious to them but are crucial for readers.
  • The importance of clarity in writing is exemplified through an article on consciousness that fails to explain concepts clearly.
  • To combat the curse of knowledge, writers are advised to empathize with readers, seek feedback, and revise drafts to enhance clarity and understanding.

42:23

Language rules: clarity or creativity?

  • Prescriptivists advocate for strict adherence to language rules, viewing it as upholding excellence, while descriptivists believe rules are arbitrary and people should write as they please.
  • Rules of language usage are not based on logical truths but are evolving conventions within a community of writers.
  • Some language rules are logical extensions of everyday grammar, ensuring clarity in communication.
  • Word choice rules, like distinguishing between fulsome and full, are crucial for conveying precise meanings.
  • Many supposed rules of language usage are baseless and can hinder effective communication.
  • Obeying unnecessary rules can lead to awkward or nonsensical sentences, as seen in examples like avoiding split infinitives.
  • Dictionaries and style manuals provide evidence-based guidance on language usage, debunking many common grammar myths.
  • While respecting legitimate language rules is important, it is secondary to maintaining classic style, coherent ideas, factual accuracy, and sound argumentation in writing.
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