Use Of Doublespeak
Lastly, Automattic’s statement uses language that seems to cross the line into doublespeak. Doublespeak is the use of language in a way that is deceptive and manipulative as opposed to a rhetorical approach that seeks to persuade. Doublespeak obscures and distorts reality and masks the real meaning and intent of a statement.
Example of doublespeak:
“To recalibrate and ensure our efforts are as impactful as possible, Automattic will reduce its sponsored contributions to the WordPress project. This is not a step we take lightly. It is a moment to regroup, rethink, and strategically plan how Automatticians can continue contributing in ways that secure the future of WordPress for generations to come. “
The portrayal of the withdrawal of support as a way of securing “the future of WordPress for generations to come” is manipulative and hides the reality that those actions have the opposite effect.
It also claims:
“This realignment is not an end, but a new beginning—one that will ultimately strengthen the foundation of WordPress.”
That’s an example of how Automattic’s statement portrays the actual weakening WordPress.org as a way to strengthen it.
There are many other examples of how the statement portrays Automattic as the victim, WP Engine as the aggressor and the WordPress community itself as complicit in undermining itself.
Read the statement here:
Aligning Automattic’s Sponsored Contributions to WordPress
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