Anne Curzan: What makes a word "real"?

What Makes a Word "Real"?

Introduction to the Speaker's Social Life

• The speaker shares insights about their social interactions as an English professor, highlighting two common reactions from people when they learn about their profession.

• Some individuals express fear of making mistakes in front of the speaker, while others eagerly engage in discussions about language issues.

The Concept of "Real" Words

• A dinner conversation raises the question: What qualifies a word as "real"? The term "defriend" is used as an example.

• The speaker notes that many believe a word isn't real unless it appears in a standard dictionary, prompting further questions about dictionary authorship and authority.

Role of Dictionaries and Language Evolution

• The speaker collects new slang words for research purposes and encourages students to share new terms before class starts.

• Examples like "hangry" (hungry + angry) and "adorkable" (adorably dorky) illustrate how slang fills gaps in language but raises questions about their legitimacy without dictionary recognition.

Critical Examination of Dictionaries

• A show of hands reveals that most audience members use dictionaries, yet fewer have considered who edits them or how they are compiled.

• The speaker emphasizes that dictionaries are human-made resources subject to change over time, contrasting this with the expectation that all dictionaries provide uniform answers.

Dictionary Editors' Perspectives

• Dictionary editors aim to keep up with evolving language by observing usage trends; they must decide which words will endure versus those that may fade away.

• An example is given regarding the word YOLO ("you only live once"), which is currently under consideration by editors for inclusion based on its popularity.

The American Dialect Society Meeting

Voting on Words of the Year

• The speaker describes attending the American Dialect Society annual meeting where attendees vote on the word of the year, emphasizing its informal atmosphere.

• Past winners include terms like “tweet” (2009), “hashtag” (2012), and “WMD” (2002), showcasing how rapidly language evolves.

Creative Word Categories

• One category at the meeting celebrates creative words; examples include “recombobulation area” and “multi-slacking,” illustrating playful uses of language.

Reflection on Word Validity

• Not all voted words become mainstream; some past choices like “Plutoed” have faded while others like “app” have become commonplace.

Language Change: A Living Phenomenon

Attitudes Towards Language Change

• The speaker discusses the varying attitudes towards language fads and changes, questioning whether they are seen as bothersome or interesting.

• Historical complaints about new words date back to figures like Dean Henry Alford in 1875 and Benjamin Franklin in 1760, who criticized terms like "desirability" and "colonize."

• Samuel Rogers expressed concerns over fashionable pronunciations in 1855, highlighting a long-standing tradition of resistance to language evolution.

Modern Concerns About Language

• The speaker notes ongoing worries about new words entering dictionaries, such as "LOL" and "defriend," reflecting societal anxieties about language legitimacy.

• Dictionary editors face challenges balancing descriptive accuracy with prescriptive guidance on slang or informal usage.

Usage Notes and Human Decisions

• The example of the word "peruse" illustrates how dictionary definitions can differ from common usage; it traditionally means 'to read thoroughly' but is often used to mean 'skim.'

• American Heritage Dictionaries provide usage notes that reflect changing meanings, indicating a shift in acceptability over time based on panel feedback.

The Role of the Usage Panel

• The Usage Panel consists of around 200 individuals from various fields, including linguists and journalists, providing insights into contested usages without claiming authority over language rules.

• Members fill out ballots regarding new usages based on observed trends rather than personal preferences.

Embracing Language Evolution

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of observing actual usage trends (e.g., "impactful") rather than imposing personal dislikes on language change.

How Do Words Get Into a Dictionary?

The Role of Usage in Language Evolution

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of creativity in language, highlighting that language is continually being remade and kept robust through usage.

• A word enters a dictionary primarily because it is used frequently by people, indicating that public usage drives dictionary inclusion.

• Dictionary editors actively monitor language trends and usage patterns to determine which words should be added to dictionaries.

• The speaker addresses concerns about collective decision-making regarding word meanings, affirming that this has always been the case in language evolution.