The power and peril of language

A single wrong arrangement helped trigger the two atomic bombs – and the warning is still important today, John Longhurst writes.

Mick quietly hit his window as Ron cleaned his throat:

“Thanks, Mick. Now, dates are important. This week points to the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Japan was unconditionally surrendered on August 14, 1945, while the official surrender did not take place in USS Missouri until September 2. In fact, the same US Flag used by Commodore Perry was shown as 18 suppliers of Japan.

Mick’s eyes were plates and an open mouth was swing like a side show street clown:

“Gee, Ron, you never stop surprising me. You really must be in the ABC’s hard exam, but take us to surrender. So, the Japanese has a mental of struggle that fights for victorious or death in war.”

Ron intentionally paused and sucked in a deep breath:

“This is true, Mick. You refer to the ‘Bushido’ or ‘Warrior’s Way’. The rejection of the Potsdam Declaration, which defines the conditions for the surrender of Japan to the Allies on July 28, led to the fall of atomic bombs in Hiroshima on 6 August.

Bazza leaned:

“Ahhh, a little more, I think, Ron. Why did he drop a second nuclear bomb when the destruction in Hiroshima was quite open?

Mick moaned:

“Don’t start writing history, Bazza. There’s a date and in the face of Ron details.”

Bazza chuckled:

I’m not sure that Mick. Anyway, the Potsdam Declaration promised that Japan would not be ‘enslaved‘Or’ destroyed ‘and warned that a negative reaction would result in’ fast and completely demolition ‘. Before the headline to journalists and officially decided the government’s reaction, Prime Minister Suzuki used the word ‘Mokusatsu’, which has some meanings. This may mean ‘storing comments’, and considering the context, it may be what he meant at this stage ‘no comment’. A very common Polli speaks to allow time to think.

Bazza took a sip of measured:

“But here is the key – ‘Mokusatsu’ can be translated with ‘ignoring’ or ‘silent contempt’. Linguists They called it the most tragic translation of the world. “

Mick rubbed his chin:

“What do you mean, Bazza?”

Bazza finished his ship:

“The future of the world can open one word, Mick. Let’s have such a command on the English language at these variable times.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3xk8rcWh4q

John Longhurst is an old industrial defender and political consultant. He is currently working as an English and history teacher on the southern coast of NSW.

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