When politicians gain power, their language becomes garbled

A study by Frederik Hjorth at the University of Copenhagen reveals that politicians in government tend to use more complex language than those in opposition. Analyzing nearly 1.5 million parliamentary speech snippets over three decades, Hjorth found that as politicians enter government, their language becomes less understandable due to bureaucratic jargon, formal roles, and complex topics. Although they don't intend to complicate their speech, they must address intricate issues.

Hjorth says

"Populists often emphasize that the elites have lost touch with the people. This study suggests that the criticism is correct in a sense: more technocratic language is part of the price of government accountability,"

Voters prefer simplicity; those using clear language are rated more favorably. This trend may clarify the rise of populist movements, as they communicate directly while government politicians struggle to do so. Hjorth suggests that this complexity in language may lead to governing parties losing voter support.

You can read the study HERE