“Like prepositional phrases, certain structural arrangements in English are much more important than the small bones of grammar in its most technical sense. It really wouldn't matter much if we started dropping the s from our plurals. Lots of words get along without it anyway, and in most cases context would be enough to indicate number. Even the distinction between singular and plural verb forms is just as much a polite convention as an essential element of meaning. But the structures, things like passives and prepositional phrases, constitute, among other things, an implicit system of moral philosophy, a view of the world and its presumed meanings, and their misuse therefore often betrays an attitude or value that the user might like to disavow.” ThinkingLanguageThoughtGrammar Book:Less Than Words Can Say Source: Less Than Words Can Say
“A mind can be overthrown by words; that's the point. What is happening to the brain of a person who uses the passive, who writes, 'Delay should not be allowed to take place' instead of 'Hurry'? The user of the passive verb doesn't want a universe in which responsible agents do their acts. You see? Bad language ultimately is IMMORAL.” WantShouldWritingMindPersonsUseUniverseLanguageBrainHappeningsResponsibleAgentsUsersPassiveDelayImmoralVerbsBad Language Author:Richard Mitchell
“If you cannot be the master of your language, you must be its slave.” IfsLanguageMastersSlave Author:Richard Mitchell
“If you cannot be the master of your language, you must be its slave. If you cannot examine your thoughts, you have no choice but to think them, however silly they may be.” IfsThinkingMayChoicesLanguageMastersSlaveSilly Author:Richard Mitchell
“Clear language engenders clear thought, and clear thought is the most important benefit of education.” ImportantLanguageClearBenefits Author:Richard Mitchell
“His jargon conceals, from him, but not from us, the deep, empty hole in his mind. He uses technological language as a substitute for technique.” MindUseLanguageEmptyTechniqueHolesSubstitutesTechnologicalJargon Author:Richard Mitchell
