Theme - power of language and languages of power

[LifeLeisurely]

especially in a political context, as seen in Brian Friels translations.
I really would like any suggestions on drama (or novels) which deal with the power of language and words as a major theme in the action of the plot, simillar to translations.

thank you............................ x

[billl]

1984 has "newspeak."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspeak

[kelby_lake]

especially in a political context, as seen in Brian Friels translations.
I really would like any suggestions on drama (or novels) which deal with the power of language and words as a major theme in the action of the plot, simillar to translations.

thank you............................ x

Oleanna. Act 1 shows an exchange between a teacher and student- the student is asking about her grade. The audience see nothing unusual about it. Act 2, the student returns to the office- this time claiming sexual harrassment. She uses the words of Act 1 but places them in a different context.

In the play, language is power. The teacher uses long-winded explanations and unnecessarily complex words in order to feel powerful; the student meticulously takes notes and quotes back words in order to have power.

[mono]

As billl mentioned, you cannot go wrong with George Orwell, whether 1984 or Animal Farm, especially in a political context. Otherwise, I would also recommend some George Bernard Shaw, Albert Camus, Jonathan Safran Foer, and maybe William Golding, too.