Why Your Business Should Speak Saxon vs. Latin

• DateJuly 22, 2020
• AuthorLeah Swearingen
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You can write most anything in English in two ways: Fancy or simple. Short or long. Concrete or abstract.  

For business communications that pack force and appeal, choose short, simple, and concrete. That is, select more words with Saxon, rather than Latin, roots.

Like me, you’ve probably blown right by distinctions between the two primary sources of our mongrel English language: Anglo-Saxon words, and Latinate words. Thanks to a new style book by author Ward Farnsworth¹, these variances have been brought into sharp focus. As Farnsworth’s chart demonstrates, Saxon words are shorter, more concrete, and often use hard consonants. Latin words are longer, eloquent, and convey a grander quality. 

 
Why does this matter? Why should you care? Because as a business professional, you need to make your case, fast. Because you want to drive your point home. Anglo-Saxon words are your shortest route. As Farnsworth states, “Saxon words make a strong chisel.”

Students of style are unanimous about this. From Strunk and White to Churchill, Aristotle, Mark Twain and others, they all agree: short is better.

It’s understandable that highly educated professionals fall for the allure of Latinate words. They sound grander and more impressive. But just try packing a density of Latinate words into your correspondence.  Mere seconds will pass before your audience and message evaporate.   

The sharpest business communicators hit their mark using Saxon words. Sprinkled with (Latinate word alert!) a judicious number of Latin words. Which add contrast. Yes, it’s that simple.

You wouldn’t toss your clients a briefcase full of barbells. Or spread Vaseline on their eyeglasses. Why force them to strain and stagger to grasp your meaning? You won’t, if your business speaks more Saxon than Latin.

¹Ward Farnsworth, Farnsworth’s Classical English Style (David R. Godine, 2020)