Текст 1. Diplomatic Language

Diplomatic Language

The expression "diplomatic language" is used to denote three dif­ferent things. In its first sense it signifies the actual language (whether it be Latin, French, or English) which is employed by di­plomatists in their converse or correspondence with each other. In its second sense it means those technical phrases which, in the course of centuries, have become part of ordinary diplomatic vo­cabulary. And in its third, and most common, sense it is used to de­scribe that guarded understatement which enables diplomatists and ministers to say sharp things to each other without becoming pro­vocative or impolite.

"Diplomacy", as it was once said, "is the application of intelli­gence and tact to the conduct of official relations between the gov­ernments of independent states." The need of intelligence is self-evident, but the equally vital need of tact is often disregarded. It is this latter need which has led diplomatists to adopt a paper cur­rency of conventionalized phrases in place of the hard coins of ordi­nary human converse. These phrases, affable though they may ap­pear, possess a known currency value.

Thus, if a statesman or a diplomatist informs another government that his own government "cannot remain indifferent to" some inter­national controversy, he is clearly understood to imply that the con­troversy is one in which his government will certainly intervene. If in his communication or speech he uses some such phrases as "His Majesty's Government view with concern" or "view with grave con­cern" then it is evident to all that the matter is one in which the British Government intend to adopt a strong line. By cautious gra­dations such as these a statesman is enabled, without using threat­ening language, to convey a serious warning to a foreign govern­ment. If these warnings pass unheeded he can raise his voice while still remaining courteous and conciliatory. If he says, "In such an event His Majesty's Government would feel bound carefully to re­consider their position," he is implying that friendship is about to turn into hostility.