I love language! Anyone who knows how to use this tool wisely has the power – the power to convince, to encourage, to console, to arouse. Using language inconsiderately can inflict wounds, break hearts, lead negotiations to ruin or cause a statement to escape unnoticed.

I am not going to venture out into politics. And I am not talking about context or messages either but about the use of language. That’s it, ok? But besides the coverage revolving around the age, the middle name or the colour of the high heels of the presidential candidates and their vice presidents (and I am not talking of Biden here…), the electoral campaign has yielded my personal hero: Obama’s ghost writer! This guy has got quite a bit of talent, don’t you think?

‘…he’s subscribed to that old, discredited Republican philosophy – give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else. In Washington, they call this the Ownership Society, but what it really means is – you’re on your own. Out of work? Tough luck. No health care? The market will fix it. Born into poverty? Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps – even if you don’t have boots. You’re on your own. Well it’s time for them to own their failure …‘

I stand in awe at his use of the word ‘own’ in four lines and would raise my hat if I OWNed one … ha!
Let just hope that the new US administration makes sure to win the guy with the pen over so that we can look forward to more euphonic speeches…

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