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Devolution of language (view source)
Revision as of 02:05, December 28, 2008
, 02:05, December 28, 2008improved with another example, and another explanatory paragraph
The '''devolution of language''' is the often-corrosive affect that culture, primarily entertainment, [[computer]]s, sports, and [[politics]], have on the meaning of words. Some examples include:
The '''devolution of language''' is the often-corrosive affect that culture, primarily entertainment, [[computer]]s, [[public school]]s, sports, and [[politics]], have on the meaning of words.
A general trend, perhaps due to declining intelligence in culture, is for words to acquire a more literal meaning and lose their more abstract connotations.
Some examples of devolution of language include:
* "word" was once a more figurative term, as in "speech", but now has a more literal connotation partly due to its common usage in the familiar "word processor" product
* "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