Response to English language handout

We have discussed (but not yet exhausted) the issues relating to the evolving English language and I now have a level of understanding which varies from one school of thought to another.
The very clever and rather interesting, Jean Aitchison, (a British Linguist) examines words and dissects the very language which impacts on us all. She believes that, ‘Humans mop up words like sponges.’ And, ‘Word meanings are like stretchy pullovers, whose outline contour is visible, but whose detailed shape varies with use.’ And also that, ‘Most new words simply disappear, like raindrops falling and soaking into the ground. Only a few get caught in the bucket of public attention, and make their way into dictionaries.’ (The Language Web, 1997)
Aitchison comments on Chaucer and Shakespeare in, Language Change: Progress or Decay? In 1991, ‘Purists behave as if there was a vintage year when language achieved a measure of excellence which we should all strive to maintain. In fact, there was never such a year. The language of Chaucer's or Shakespeare's time was no better and no worse than that of our own — just different.’ I particularly agree with this statement and feel somewhat liberated in the frankness and simplicity of her words.
Robert Cawdrey’s, Table, was the considered to be the largest dictionary of its time and had Cawdrey providing concise definitions. He was obviously extremely interested in the English Language and researched thoroughly for all his words and definitions.
Swift is most probably more well known for writing Gulliver’s travels and for being a poet. His essay is critical of the English language as it evolves or declines from the court.
Orwell is a complicated fellow. He appears to have that heavy cloud over his head which is always following him. He’s witty with his satire and moody with his thoughts. His obsession with totalitarianism resounds throughout so many pieces of his work and this essay is no different. His essay is calling for the need to use of clear and concise language.
Some of these academics write with political and personal beliefs echoing throughout their words, manipulating, encouraging and brain washing. Or perhaps just with pure skill of being able to write a pretty good persuasive text!!!!