Difference between revisions of "Devolution of language"
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(It has no such meaning where I come from.) |
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* "message" now means something very brief, and usually non-substantive, due to the influence of [[instant messaging]] | * "message" now means something very brief, and usually non-substantive, due to the influence of [[instant messaging]] | ||
* "link" now means a clickable reference to another website, rather than a substantive connection | * "link" now means a clickable reference to another website, rather than a substantive connection | ||
| − | * "liberal" once met generous or enlightened, or committed to constitutional government and individual liberty, but now means demanding funding for [[abortion]] and censoring [[prayer]] in school | + | * "liberal" once met generous or enlightened, or committed to constitutional government and individual liberty, but, in the Unitied States, now means demanding funding for [[abortion]] and censoring [[prayer]] in school |
* "media" now means ''the press'', rather than modes of transferring information. The singular "medium" has largely been lost | * "media" now means ''the press'', rather than modes of transferring information. The singular "medium" has largely been lost | ||
Revision as of 22:22, December 26, 2008
The devolution of language is the often-corrosive affect that culture, primarily entertainment, computers, sports, and politics, have on the meaning of words. Some examples include:
- "message" now means something very brief, and usually non-substantive, due to the influence of instant messaging
- "link" now means a clickable reference to another website, rather than a substantive connection
- "liberal" once met generous or enlightened, or committed to constitutional government and individual liberty, but, in the Unitied States, now means demanding funding for abortion and censoring prayer in school
- "media" now means the press, rather than modes of transferring information. The singular "medium" has largely been lost
Devolution of language also applies to vocabulary in general. Low literacy levels fostered by liberal education systems reduce readers' ability to comprehend words commonly found in literature but not used in unintellectual entertainment and media. One report stated that the average 14-year-old's vocabulary has decreased 60% since 1945, roughly coinciding with the dominance of liberal public schooling.[1]
(add more)
References
- ↑ Decline from 25,000 to 10,000. Utne Reader (July-August 2000), 28-9.