Originally posted by FMFAgreed: some languages are living things. That being said, when degradation sets in to such a degree that definitions become meaningless, well, it's not a good sign--- especially in light of our dependence upon language for the propagation of our culture.
Lanuages are living things. Describe them by all means - and revel in their ingenuity and restlessness - but please spare us the prescriptions.
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Originally posted by FreakyKBHThe relatively recent trends of "nouning verbs" and "verbing nouns" are not degradations. In what way do either of these inventive and effective ways of creating apt and vivid vocabulary damage "the propagation of our culture"? Surely these linguistic trends ARE "the propagation of our culture"?
Awhen degradation sets in to such a degree that definitions become meaningless, well, it's not a good sign--- especially in light of our dependence upon language for the propagation of our culture.
Originally posted by FMFIf they're not degradations, how would you describe them, exactly? Clarity-invoking innovations? I think not. Instead, I submit it qualifies as slang. Slang isn't necessarily all bad, but there comes a critical mass point wherein the profane outweighs the profound: what then?
The relatively recent trends of "nouning verbs" and "verbing nouns" are not degradations. In what way do either of these inventive and effective ways of creating apt and vivid vocabulary damage "the propagation of our culture"? Surely these linguistic trends ARE "the propagation of our culture"?
Originally posted by FreakyKBHthe English language is more than sufficient (and will continue to be so) for those who wish to provide profound, well-written thought and literature.
If they're not degradations, how would you describe them, exactly? Clarity-invoking innovations? I think not. Instead, I submit it qualifies as slang. Slang isn't necessarily all bad, but there comes a critical mass point wherein the profane outweighs the profound: what then?
as for the rest, you could provide them with the English of Shakespeare, and any of their empty gibberish would be just as empty.
