William D. Lutz | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1940-12-12)December 12, 1940 (age 85) |
| Alma mater | Dominican College of Racine,Marquette University,University of Nevada, Reno |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Linguistics |
| Institutions | Rutgers University-Camden |
William D. Lutz (/lʌts/; born December 12, 1940) is an American linguist who specializes in the use of plain language and the avoidance ofdoublespeak (deceptive language). He wrote an essayThe World of Doublespeak on this subject as well as the bookDoublespeak [1] His original essay and the book described the four different types of doublespeak (euphemism, jargon, gobbledygook, and inflated language) and the social dangers of doublespeak.
In 1962, Lutz received hisbachelor's degree from theDominican College of Racine (which closed its doors in 1974). He received hismaster's degree in English fromMarquette University in 1963 and hisdoctorate in 1971 from theUniversity of Nevada, Reno. Lutz began teaching English atRutgers University-Camden in 1971, and was made a full professor in 1991. He retired from teaching in 2006.[2]
From 1980 to 1994, Lutz edited the now defunctQuarterly Review of Doublespeak.[3][4] He worked as a consultant with a number of corporations and the United States government to promote the use of 'plain language'. For example, he was a significant contributor to theSEC's Plain English Handbook.[5]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Booknotes interview with Lutz onDoublespeak, December 31, 1989,C-SPAN | |
| Presentation by Lutz onThe New Doublespeak, August 6, 1996,C-SPAN |
