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Comment on Sometimes i sit alone on a room, wondering if people know what words actually mean or have we ventured past the idea of strict language and we've finally embraced the fluidity of language...

Th4tGuyII@kbin.social ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

Language evolves with the masses, if the majority of people think a word means something, that is what it will become regardless of any prior meaning.

Those who try to tie it down will only be left behind by the sands of time.

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pimento64@sopuli.xyz ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Language has evolved beyond the need for descriptivist evolution, universal literacy and global instantaneous communication networks require standardization, and eventually, a constructed universal language. Those trying to hold on to preindustrial modes of cultural development will only be left behind by the sands of time.

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- Th4tGuyII@kbin.social ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Standardisation works with weights and measures because the definition of those isn't meant to change ever...
  
  But while globalisation may have slowed them down, languages are still evolving - why do you think there are still words being added to the dictionaries each year?
  
  You think the dictionaries just think up new words for themselves, or do you think that they're catching up on words that have entered the majorative lexicon?
  
  Language is one of the few things that is still controlled by majority usage, because you can't really standardise normal, everyday use of language. So if you dig your heels into the ground trying to standardise existing language, you'll be the one left behind by the majority of language users - even the dictionaries know that.
  
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  - pimento64@sopuli.xyz ⁨8⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    Standardization doesn’t mean completely static. Would you care to point out where I said that?
    
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