If most writers are using long words and convoluted sentences to convey authority, then a high-status academic could deliberately use simple language, using the handicap principle to convey “people take me seriously as an authority even though I use simple language”.
And if lots of people start doing this, others might imitate them.
If most writers are using long words and convoluted sentences to convey authority, then a high-status academic could deliberately use simple language, using the handicap principle to convey “people take me seriously as an authority even though I use simple language”.
And if lots of people start doing this, others might imitate them.