Erin McKean: Go ahead, make up new words!

Understanding Language and Word Creation

The Role of a Lexicographer

• Erin McKean introduces herself as a lexicographer, emphasizing her role in compiling dictionaries without deciding what constitutes a word.

• She explains that the definition of a word is collectively determined by speakers of the language, highlighting the communal nature of language.

Grammar: Two Types

• McKean discusses how people often use grammar to judge words without valid reasoning, humorously noting her indifference towards traditional grammar rules.

• She distinguishes between two types of grammar: unconscious rules (internalized by native speakers) and usage rules (social conventions).

Natural vs. Usage Rules

• The speaker compares natural grammatical rules to laws of nature, which are instinctively followed without reminders.

• In contrast, usage rules are likened to social etiquette regarding hats, indicating that they require guidance and can vary among different contexts.

Creativity in Language

• McKean criticizes the restrictive attitude towards creating new words while society encourages creativity in other fields like art and science.

• She advocates for linguistic creativity and promises to share six methods for inventing new words.

Methods for Creating New Words

Borrowing from Other Languages

• The first method involves borrowing words from other languages, which McKean humorously refers to as "stealing."

• Examples include "kumquat" from Chinese and "ninja" from Japanese, illustrating how English enriches itself through external influences.

Compounding Words

• Compounding is introduced as another method where two existing English words are combined (e.g., "bookworm," "sandcastle").

Blending Words

• Blend words involve merging parts of two words together; examples include "brunch" (breakfast + lunch), showcasing linguistic evolution.

Functional Shift

• This method entails changing a word's part of speech; for instance, transforming “friend” into a verb demonstrates flexibility within English vocabulary.

Back-Fformation

• Back-formations occur when a new word is created by removing an affix from an existing one; examples include “edit” derived from “editor.”

The Importance of New Words

Embracing Linguistic Innovation

• McKean concludes with encouragement to create new words as each represents an opportunity for expression.

Understanding the Impact of Climate Change

Introduction to Climate Change

• The speaker introduces climate change as a pressing global issue, emphasizing its widespread effects on ecosystems and human societies.

• A brief overview of the scientific consensus regarding climate change is presented, highlighting the role of greenhouse gases in global warming.

• The importance of addressing climate change is underscored, with references to recent extreme weather events as evidence of its impact.

Causes of Climate Change

• Human activities, particularly fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, are identified as primary contributors to increased carbon emissions.

• The speaker discusses how industrialization has accelerated climate change since the 19th century, leading to significant environmental degradation.

• Natural factors such as volcanic eruptions and solar radiation variations are mentioned but deemed less impactful compared to anthropogenic causes.

Consequences of Climate Change

• Rising sea levels due to melting ice caps pose a threat to coastal communities worldwide.

• Changes in weather patterns lead to more frequent and severe natural disasters, including hurricanes and droughts.

• Biodiversity loss is highlighted as a critical consequence, with many species facing extinction due to habitat changes.

Mitigation Strategies

• The speaker advocates for renewable energy sources like solar and wind power as essential solutions for reducing carbon footprints.

• Policy measures such as carbon pricing and international agreements (e.g., Paris Agreement) are discussed as necessary steps toward global cooperation in combating climate change.

• Individual actions, including lifestyle changes and advocacy for sustainable practices, are encouraged for collective impact.

Conclusion: Call to Action

• The urgency of taking immediate action against climate change is reiterated, stressing that every effort counts in mitigating its effects.