You would like, I’m sure, Guy Deutscher's book “The Unfolding of Language”. In a nutshell, language changes. People always say it’s degrading and it was purer in the old days. But the innovations that are made for emphasis and style naturally work to improve the structure and style because people try to cram in as much function, depth and richness from their primary means of communication. Anything that works, gets copied.
It's always so funny how quick people are to say "That's not English!" just because the word is new. If it communicates meaning, there really isn't much reason look down on it. Teachers were adamant that "irregardless" wasn't a word, and admittedly I'll pass some light judgment on anyone who uses it, but it's in the dictionary now beside every other word. So I can hardly call it illegitimate.
I haven't heard of that book before but it sounds fascinating! Thanks for the recommendation!
Always a delight to meet a fellow word lover! I’ve been shocked at just how many people in the world of professional writing actually don’t fall into the category. I thought it was practically a prerequisite. Finding the right words for to communicate a specific meaning is one of the great joys of the process.
You would like, I’m sure, Guy Deutscher's book “The Unfolding of Language”. In a nutshell, language changes. People always say it’s degrading and it was purer in the old days. But the innovations that are made for emphasis and style naturally work to improve the structure and style because people try to cram in as much function, depth and richness from their primary means of communication. Anything that works, gets copied.
It's always so funny how quick people are to say "That's not English!" just because the word is new. If it communicates meaning, there really isn't much reason look down on it. Teachers were adamant that "irregardless" wasn't a word, and admittedly I'll pass some light judgment on anyone who uses it, but it's in the dictionary now beside every other word. So I can hardly call it illegitimate.
I haven't heard of that book before but it sounds fascinating! Thanks for the recommendation!
I love words. How they change and evolve. I know a little Sanskrit and I can see how our language contains so many words from that ancient tongue.
Trident, for example. Tri-dent. In Latin it means three-teeth. And both of those subwords are from Sanskrit, meanings unchanged over millennia.
The book was a joy to read and explained a lot of puzzles about language.
I’m glad to have found someone with a similar eye!
Britni
Always a delight to meet a fellow word lover! I’ve been shocked at just how many people in the world of professional writing actually don’t fall into the category. I thought it was practically a prerequisite. Finding the right words for to communicate a specific meaning is one of the great joys of the process.