October 15, 2004

Language Pet Peeves

The Samizdata has a great post today about Pet Peeves regarding the English Language. The first one, and my favorite:

"Utilization" and "utilize" are a blot on the English language. They are polysyllabic abominations spawned by the regulatory/consulting complex, suffering, as well it should, from an inferiority complex that renders it too insecure to use the perfectly good word "use."

Being a business student, I encounter this word far too often. I must take care never to use it.

Speaking of business language, seriously, what's the deal with excessive, complicated words? I can understand them, but... why use them? For example, here is a passage from my Operations Management text:

Automated quality control inspection systems are machines that have been integrated into the inspection of products for quality control purposes. These systems perform a wide range of tests and inspections and are found in many industries. They can be used to take the physical dimensions of parts, compare the measurements to standards, and determine whether the parts meet quality specifications. Similarly, these machines can be used to check the performance of electronic circuits. For example, in the computer industry, computers are checked by software that tests every function the computers must perform.

Is that much verbiage necessary? You used too many words. First off, in bold above is the term they're defining, which is three or four words too long. I'd call the device in question a product checker, or ::teeth grit at overused word:: quality checker, or just checker for short. Name the device after what it does. Then you can just say "These systems automatically check products to ensure that they meet our specifications."

Frankly, text books are full of this... garbage. I'm reasonably certain that the writers and editors are being paid by the word rather than for well-written, clear works. (See also: Calvin and Hobbes)

Another example of needless complication was brought up by a commenter on Samizdata: Never say "interface with" when you really mean "talk to." That's just a dumb buzzwordphrase.

Just say what you mean.

Posted by Blog Jones at October 15, 2004 11:07 PM | Category: The "Lighter Side"

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