‘Doublespeak’

The annual Doublespeak awards by the National Council of Teachers of English for outrageous statements by public figures (Metro, Nov. 21) are often a humorous display of satire. These awards become tiresome, however, after one notices that they are presented year after year only to people with conservative political views. Those with left-wing political persuasions, such as linguist Noam Chomsky, inevitably receive the NCTE’s award for honest and clear use of the language.

We tend to appreciate true muckrakers because they expose pomposity, insincerity and deceit whenever and wherever it occurs. The highly selective version of this that the NCTE conducts severely dulls the impact of its efforts to promote the proper use of English, however. In this respect the NCTE’s behavior becomes a part of the doublespeak it decries.

PATRICK GROFF

San Diego