Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Letter to Editor
April 17, 1934
The Daily Worker
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
What is this article about?
A letter from R.W. in Oakland, California, urges the Communist Party to simplify language in its literature, such as the Daily Worker and 'Why Communism?', to plain English to better reach American workers, reserving complex Marxist dialectics for articles on tactics and principles. He notes workers' difficulties with complicated terms leading to failed group readings.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Simple Language Imperative Need
Oakland, Calif.
I have just finished reading the booklet, 'Why Communism?' This is a big step in what I think to be the right direction toward reaching American workers. Yet it, too, could be improved upon as regards the use of large and strange words.
It has long been my opinion that the Daily Worker and most of the Party literature would reach many, many more workers if the language were simplified and our principles and aims made clear in the language of the worker, plain, simple English. That is the first step from sectarianism.
Careful observation has shown me that numerous workers will not even read much of our literature. We have attempted group readings of pamphlets and the 'Daily' and they have broken down because of the failure of our members to pronounce and understand the involved and complicated English.
I appreciate the 'language' of the Marxian dialectics and realize its value. My criticism is that it should only be used in articles on tactics or principles. All else should be in the language of the worker, plain, simple English.
Comradely,
R. W.
Oakland, Calif.
I have just finished reading the booklet, 'Why Communism?' This is a big step in what I think to be the right direction toward reaching American workers. Yet it, too, could be improved upon as regards the use of large and strange words.
It has long been my opinion that the Daily Worker and most of the Party literature would reach many, many more workers if the language were simplified and our principles and aims made clear in the language of the worker, plain, simple English. That is the first step from sectarianism.
Careful observation has shown me that numerous workers will not even read much of our literature. We have attempted group readings of pamphlets and the 'Daily' and they have broken down because of the failure of our members to pronounce and understand the involved and complicated English.
I appreciate the 'language' of the Marxian dialectics and realize its value. My criticism is that it should only be used in articles on tactics or principles. All else should be in the language of the worker, plain, simple English.
Comradely,
R. W.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Political
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Communist Literature
Simplify Language
Daily Worker
American Workers
Marxian Dialectics
Sectarianism
Group Readings
What entities or persons were involved?
R. W.
Letter to Editor Details
Author
R. W.
Main Argument
the communist party should simplify language in its literature to plain, simple english to reach more american workers, using complex marxist dialectics only for articles on tactics or principles.
Notable Details
Workers Avoid Reading Due To Large And Strange Words
Group Readings Of Pamphlets And Daily Worker Fail Because Members Cannot Pronounce Or Understand Complicated English
First Step From Sectarianism Is Using Worker's Language