Beyond Words: The Politics of Language Control in <i>Nineteen Eighty-Four</i>

Abstract The essay explores the themes of linguistic manipulation and power as portrayed in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), drawing connections with contemporary discourse on disinformation and political language. Through the lens of Teun A. Van Dijk’s critical discourse analysis and Michel Foucault’s concept of panopticism, the study examines Orwell’s depiction of a dystopian society where language serves as a central tool for consolidating totalitarian power. In particular, the fictional language of Newspeak is analyzed as an instrument designed to restrict critical thought, aligning with Orwell’s broader critique of language manipulation as a mechanism of cognitive and societal control. By exploring the intersections of language, power, and social structure, this essay highlights how Orwell’s warnings remain relevant in today’s world of pervasive digital disinformation and propaganda, underscoring the importance of safeguarding linguistic integrity as a defense of independent thought.