in defense of linguistic courage

.
I can hear the well-populated and viscous moans already -- language is for communication and thus should be readily available to all; it should not challenge or appear arrogant -- but it was hard for me not to feel some pleasure when reading Will Self's defense of obscure words.

He isn't likely to win the war -- and the use of obscure words a la James Joyce is pretty tedious -- but at least he raised the banner.
.