So not the most academic of articles, but still raises some good conversations
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicamisener/the-wrong-definition-of-literally-is-literally-going-in-the
I was reading an article the other day in a journal that encouraged the creation of new words and then I saw this about how we are finding ourselves repurposing words which then leads to redefining them. So is there anything wrong with that?
I was raised by an English professor. I can't cuss because I was taught 1000 different words that mean the same thing, carry the same power, but are more effective - maybe even more correct (depends on who you ask) Growing up my father would always correct me if I used a popular slang term or misused a word, I literally could not get away with the language of pop culture in my house.
I really enjoy words and I enjoy exercising my mind to expand my vocabulary. I don't mind if someone uses a word out of its original definition, but something does hit me as... wrong... that then that word will be redefined in our dictionary. What it comes down to for me is the evolution of language and how I think we take it too lightly. I find language to be a very powerful influential asset to our culture and identity. And I think the more lax we are with it, that's not representing or respecting our heritage well. I'm not conservative on many issues, but when it comes to language and words, I do believe there is a holiness to them and therefore should carry some more high regard then what I think we are giving to it today. Especially in the education system and in the home. This is where most of our communication abilities are formed and I am very thankful for seriousness my parents took when helping me construct my vocabulary. I feel that I can own my thoughts and process my thoughts and communicate myself more effectively.
But at the end of the day - I really like Chris Traegar from Parks and Recreation - He can literally over use that word as much as he likes :)
But for the rest of us, what are the pros and cons of the evolution of our words and language?
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicamisener/the-wrong-definition-of-literally-is-literally-going-in-the
I was reading an article the other day in a journal that encouraged the creation of new words and then I saw this about how we are finding ourselves repurposing words which then leads to redefining them. So is there anything wrong with that?
I was raised by an English professor. I can't cuss because I was taught 1000 different words that mean the same thing, carry the same power, but are more effective - maybe even more correct (depends on who you ask) Growing up my father would always correct me if I used a popular slang term or misused a word, I literally could not get away with the language of pop culture in my house.
I really enjoy words and I enjoy exercising my mind to expand my vocabulary. I don't mind if someone uses a word out of its original definition, but something does hit me as... wrong... that then that word will be redefined in our dictionary. What it comes down to for me is the evolution of language and how I think we take it too lightly. I find language to be a very powerful influential asset to our culture and identity. And I think the more lax we are with it, that's not representing or respecting our heritage well. I'm not conservative on many issues, but when it comes to language and words, I do believe there is a holiness to them and therefore should carry some more high regard then what I think we are giving to it today. Especially in the education system and in the home. This is where most of our communication abilities are formed and I am very thankful for seriousness my parents took when helping me construct my vocabulary. I feel that I can own my thoughts and process my thoughts and communicate myself more effectively.
But at the end of the day - I really like Chris Traegar from Parks and Recreation - He can literally over use that word as much as he likes :)
But for the rest of us, what are the pros and cons of the evolution of our words and language?
Thanks for sharing this Anne - I had seen this on Buzzfeed as well, as I am a huge fan of Chris Traegar and of the show of course! While I was not raised by an English professor, I was an English major in college and always find myself correcting others grammar, phrasing, etc. However this was not always the case - as a kid and young adult (and admittedly, still today) I was prone to overuse of the world "like" (e.g., "That was, like, a really hard exam"). This drove my father NUTS to no end, to the point that he BOUGHT A SMALL BELL and used to ring it, at home, ANY TIME I used the world out of context. And even today, when I visit home, he will still call me out on it!
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of people in our generation are prone to this colloquial-type speak - whether its the misuse of like, literally, or another word - as it surrounds us in culture and society today. (Honestly, I remember seeing the movie Clueless as a kid and really believing that saying "like" incessantly was something I needed to be doing!) Between movies, reality TV and the people that surround us, I do feel the English language losing some of its value and really, its creativity, as it develops. For example, on Twitter when you post, it has to be 140 characters or less - so often you see language compromised, abbreviated, etc for the sake of being user accessible. It happens elsewhere, too, and it is sad to see our language being convoluted into ways that often appear nonsensical and inappropriate.
Fortunately, I think literature, English and the field of language is still thriving in our society today, and that hopefully we can continue to learn more about the pros and cons of our language - and what its inevitable changes mean for everyone.