Raise your
hand if you’ve heard any of the following lingo in every day conversation: lol,
totes, omg, cray, sup, and adorbs. Yes, words like these have become varying
degrees of common *shudder* in modern conversations between anyone under
20. It isn’t a unanimous habit; there are people who almost never say anything
like “omg that’s totes cray-cray!” unless we do it mockingly or ironically.
Even though many people avoid
using those new slang words because they see how ridiculous using them in
normal conversation sounds, no one is completely untouched by the ever-changing
language.
An example is the word gentleman.
The original definition for gentleman simply meant one with a coat of arms. You
could say that a man was a gentleman and a bastard without fear of confusion or
surprise—except for maybe using such inappropriate language. Eventually the
word gentleman began to be used for any man who had the characteristics a
gentleman SHOULD have. Now if you want use gentleman in its original definition
you must explain yourself.
Everyone is a contributor to the
adapting language whether they know it or not. You can't watch any recent
television without hearing at least one reference to the new words of the
“young kids these days” and some “old person” either trying to use them as
well, or to show their confusion at the new vocabulary. Some adults I know
accuse the teenage generation of purposely inventing this new lingo to try to
hide what they're saying to each other or to make adults feel stupid or old.
Sorry to break it to any of you, but it’s not on purpose at all. In fact, we
don’t really realize we do it.
Many
never think of this phenomenon in this way but communication and words and language
has evolved and continues to evolve just as fast and vigorous as our societies,
technology, education, and values. We are humans; anthropologically programmed
as creatures of communication. We always try to find better, clearer, faster
ways of communicating with as many people as possible. Many argue that the need
for communication and connection was one of the biggest reasons the human race
advanced so far so fast.
The first
transatlantic telegraph cable was made of 340,500 miles of copper and iron wire
designed to stretch 2,876.95 miles along the ocean floor. Once the cable was in
place, people used electrical impulses and signal code to send any message they
wanted to the other side of the world. Humanity accomplished that just to be
able to stay in touch across the ocean. And less than a century later look
at the Internet now! Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Gmail, and so many other
programs created to improve the quality and quantity of our communication with
wider and wider circles of listeners.
Communication is like a drug and
language and words is an essential part of it. You recognize this stuff; we’re
always waiting for messages, updates, or news. It’s what we do. And we always
try to advance and improve how.
Like any vague and complicated subject,
naturally contradictions and arguments have taken form. Many people claim that
language is merely becoming a more effective version of itself; a way to convey
content and tone without losing velocity. Still others are traditional in the
sense that they disapprove of the way definitions are altering and words are
becoming less powerful through overuse and even new words being added to the
languages. But as much as anyone fights or disapproves of this, the fact is no
one can really stop it. So is it a good thing? A bad thing? Somewhere in
between?
I personally don’t
like when people use words not in the way they are supposed to like sick
suddenly meaning cool or bitch sometimes just meaning a female. I think that’s
confusing but I often find myself saying “that’s awesome” or “amazing” or even
“insane” when those words have always been intended for really powerful moments
instead of say, getting a better grade on a quiz than I expected.
On the other extreme,
a lot of people tend to annoy those around them by saying, “hate is a strong
word” or “love is such a special word, save it” blah blah blah. Pointing that
out is just pretentious sometimes and it really doesn’t make anyone friends.
Other than that I'd
love to hear peoples’ opinions or any other ideas on the subject! Comment on
this post please!
