Vax in 2021, Goblin Mode in 2022, and Liz in 2023.
These are the three recent winners of Oxford University Press’s Word of the Year.
For 20 years, Oxford University Press has stated that “a word with lasting potential as a culturally significant word that reflects the spirit, mood, or interests of that particular year; I continue to choose words that have gender. And it has lasting potential as a word of cultural significance. ”
And they’re not alone. Cambridge, Merriam-Webster, Dictionary.com, and many language experts do similar things. The Associated Press compiled a list from around the world, including entries from countries such as Australia, Haiti, France, Japan, Kenya, South Africa and Taiwan. (The Associated Press’ Indian word of the year was “Bharat.”)
The constant evolution of this language is incredibly fascinating. It tells us not only how people communicate, but also how they think and feel. They reflect the prevailing beliefs, values and prejudices of a society or culture and often have long-lasting effects far beyond the context in which they emerged.
For example, consider the long-standing prejudice against left-handed people in medieval Europe. The word “sinister” comes from the Latin word “sinistra,” meaning left. Similarly, the French word for left is “gauche,” but it’s not exactly a compliment. If you compare this with the word “droit” for right, you’ll see that it has “adroit” in it. All three words are still in regular and common use today, but the stigma that inspired them has long since disappeared.
Similarly, Thai culture’s emphasis on politeness and manners may explain why the term “maichai”, which literally means “no, yes”, is often used rather than a simple “no”. There is a gender. The emphasis in much of the Indian education system on book learning rather than overall development is brought to life by the phrase in Hindi.Padoge Rihoge Banoge Nawab, Keroge Kudoge Banoge Harab‘ (paraphrase – if you study books you will be successful, but if you choose sports and play you will be a “bad person”).
Even more interesting than these fun idiosyncrasies and etymologies is understanding the nature and form of how languages evolve. Historically, one of the most powerful forces of evolution has been the mixing between cultures and nations, and this is especially true of language. The influence that languages have on each other’s vocabularies through the adoption of words, phrases, and concepts is well-documented and we feel it every day.
However, looking to the future, it is interesting to consider what factors may influence the evolution of language.
The growing influence of technology
As technology becomes more widely and deeply integrated into our lives, it has the potential to impact not only our vocabulary but also the very structure of language. In the former case, consider not only the use of the word “technology” but also concepts that are not necessarily related to technology, such as “backend”, “bandwidth”, “Bangalore”, etc., which are part of the conversation. please. . In the latter case, the increasing occurrence of acronyms (FR, IYKYK, SMH…) reflects the long history and preference for the use of acronyms in the technology industry.
growing tribalism
As our “tribe” becomes more central to our identity, the need to prove both belonging to a tribe and being different from non-tribes becomes more important. Inside jokes, specific descriptive terms, and distinctive phrases all contribute to the evolution of language based on tribe and identity. Swifties (with a nod to Deadheads), “Bohot Hard” and “OK Boomer” should all be seen as examples of language evolving based on shared passions, lived experiences, and/or strongly held opinions. I can.
Shortened lifespan/temporary/new meaning
Remember “Bey”? It was all the rage a few years ago. Not so much anymore. Or how the word “woke” goes from being used to describe people who are aware of social inequality to being used almost pejoratively to describe seemingly utopian ideas. became. Or consider the Cambridge Dictionary’s word of the year: hallucination. This relatively old phrase has been reinterpreted against the backdrop of perhaps the most important technological development in recent years, namely the emergence of AI in his 2023, especially its potential to produce false information. According to Cambridge Dictionary, “When artificial intelligence (= a computer system with some of the properties of the human brain, such as the ability to generate language in a human-like way) hallucinates, it produces false information.”
As the sources and number of new words increase and their meanings evolve with use, languages that have existed for a long time, at least in their original form, are likely to evolve less.
Various referral sources
Traditionally, words and phrases have been introduced primarily by linguists, academics, or experts, in a sense from the top down. Adoption is now more likely to occur from the bottom up, starting with everyday users. A vivid example of this is Suketu Mehta’s “Powertoni”, the title of the first chapter of his Maximum City. Short for Power of Attorney, users have arrived at it in a very different context than the term’s origin. More recently, words such as Delulu, Gucci, and Sus have emerged among younger users and spread to a wider audience. We’re also increasingly talking while texting or typing, rather than the other way around. GOAT, Lol, and No cap are all examples that originated from the keypad before becoming part of everyday language.
These power relations have clear implications not only for language but for society as a whole. One obvious positive is that an evolving language is a language, and by implication, a society that is also alive and thriving. Another is that the more widespread the sources of influence on a language, the more heterogeneous and therefore the more inclusive it tends to be.
However, we are at risk of seeing the emergence of what is known as a ‘generational ghetto’ in the context of technology and social media. As an example, consider “situation”. Contrast the younger generation’s understanding and comfort with words and concepts with that of the older group. Or “old school” – a term that evokes very different feelings and images among older groups as opposed to younger groups.
We are also at risk of becoming less capable of understanding language than ever before. In the past, this process could take centuries, but in the not-too-distant future it could be completed in decades or even less. The price of progress, huh?
In conclusion, the evolution of language will continue to reflect the beliefs, values, and prejudices of its host society. However, the sources, nature, and form of evolution will reflect the new influences, structures, and behaviors that animate these societies.
(The author is our Group Chief Strategy Officer, Quotient Ventures.)