More from Don Watson (‘Word warrior’) – refer preceding posts:
“ … this random sample from the base material of management language: ‘… the degree of formality evidenced across universities, regarding the documentation of risk strategy and risk appetite, processes to identify and manage risk, and reporting on new and emerging risks suggests that rigour in risk management is a key enabler in improving organisational performance.’ … “
“All public language inclines to pomposity and deceit, but modern public language inclines these ways acutely and nails it to the inclination. It is evasive and dishonest in its essence; abstract, devoid of useful information and concrete example, remote from human reality, filled not with detail but with hogwash.
The most famous passage in Churchill’s historically most telling speech could not have been plainer or more grounded in the lives of ordinary Britons. ‘We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.’
No mention of a strategy. No action plan and nothing to be actioned. No enablers. No risk management. No accountability. No outcomes to be ‘passionate’ about.”
Wow! This guy has not lost his touch. And his is a timely warning about damaging a most expressive language.
The above extracts are from an edited extract from ‘Worst words: a compendium of contemporary cant, gibberish and jargon’ by Don Watson, published in ‘The Weekend Australian Magazine’ of Oct 31-Nov.1 .
RAJA ARASA RATNAM 