>Because language is a collective action. Definitions evolve with usage.
>That's just how language works.
I'd call language a social construct. Whereas Using language is an action.
The former is a noun (person, place or thing -- in this case, a conceptual thing) and the latter is a verb (word describing an action) phrase relating to that thing.
And except for group chants (e.g., "Let's Go Mets!"), choirs, etc., using language is definitely an individual not collective action
That said, as a social construct, languages change all the time, exactly as you pointed out, based on usage.
You'll never catch me calling an SO (significant other -- which is a decades-old attempt to be more inclusive -- and private) 'bae', nor will you hear me say 'very unique', no matter how many other people use those terms.
Am I a bad, evil human being because I won't use various terms that are in broad use? I say 'no'.
Why? Because I (my brain/consciousness) control my communication systems, not popular usage.
I do my best to be kind and empathetic to those around me, not because I'm being forced to do so, but because I believe that doing so is a trait common to decent human beings, one of whom I aspire (and usually succeed) to be.
I'll go even further and say that context matters. There are many things I might say while down the pub with friends that I'd never say in a professional context or among strangers.
There's actually a term for that. It's called "code switching"[0].
And that brings up an odd, but widespread, change in our social discourse.
The online world, and especially social media, has (unless one takes steps to avoid doing so) comingled our personal, private and professional lives. Which is why I took/still take to heart advice I got nearly 30 years ago:
Don't put anything online that you wouldn't want
to see on the front page of your local newspaper
(back then, local newspapers were still a
thing).
My boss/colleagues/clients/customers don't need to know what I do when I'm not working unless they happen to also be a part of my personal life. And those in my personal sphere don't need to know what's going on in my professional life.
That's not to say there's never any overlap, but different facets of our lives don't need to intersect. Nor, in many (most?) cases, should they.
What's more, It's my choice as to what words I choose to express. And it's absolutely the choice of other folks to call me out if they feel that those words I choose aren't appropriate.
I'd add that I have a big mouth and am often deliberately inappropriate in (mostly successful) attempts at humor. But not in contexts where such things are socially unacceptable (e.g., in professional situations).
And if some folks don't appreciate me or my sense of humor and shun me as a result, that's just fine. No one is required to be subjected to me or my language.
I want to be around people who want to be around me. And not all of those either.
I don't require anyone's approval with regard to what I say or when. But if I misjudge the context of a situation, I may find myself (and I have) facing judgement, and sometimes consequences, for my speech.
Fortunately for me, at least in the US, I can say pretty much (with certain exceptions) anything I want without legal consequences. But that doesn't stop anyone from taking issue with what I say.
I'd ask that you go back and re-read my comment (several times, if necessary) and let me know if I'm not being inclusive or empathetic. That should be amusing.
I have no problem with what you said, as there's an acknowledgement that your choices can face consequences.
Every generation leaves behind huge numbers of individuals who do not evolve their usage of certain words. And every generation struggles with the previous' generation's collection of those people.
>Every generation leaves behind huge numbers of individuals who do not evolve their usage of certain words. And every generation struggles with the previous' generation's collection of those people.
Fair enough. But it seems to me that as long as people can make themselves understood and aren't actively engaging in douchebaggery, why should anyone care?
While I encourage and respect others' ability to speak their mind, I'm amazed at how invested some folks (and they are of all stripes, too) are in telling other people what to say, do or think.
We used to call such folks "busybodies"[0].
And there used to be a stock phrase to use when interacting with such people:
Mind your own fucking business.
Which usually didn't work, but made one's position pretty clear.
How is that word doing anything other than standing in for the concept above?
A quick google search for the phrase "x is doing a lot of work there" netted just this one "relevant" result[0].
That link appears to think it's roughly similar to "that requires some unpacking."
If that's the sense in which you used that phrase, I'd be very interested to hear what, exactly you think needs to be "unpacked."
Especially since there was no hidden/obfuscated meaning in my use of "actively." In fact, I meant it exactly, no more, no less than the the definition above.
I'd really appreciate it if you'd elucidate on that. Thanks!
>By your own admission, you use words with the intent to give offense as a form of humor.
I think you're talking about me (nobody9999) not thegrimmest.[3]
With that in mind, what I said was "I'd add that I have a big mouth and am often deliberately inappropriate in (mostly successful) attempts at humor. But not in contexts where such things are socially unacceptable"
Let's "unpack" that. I am "deliberately[0] inappropriate[1]" in this sense:
deliberate (adj.)
2. characterized by awareness of the consequences
inappropriate (adj.)
not appropriate
which is useless without defining the term that's being negated[2]:
appropriate (adj.)
especially suitable
There is certainly intent, but inappropriate doesn't mean "giving offense," it means not especially suitable.
As you've implied and I agree, words have meanings. But you're ascribing a meaning to a word that isn't accurate.
Why is that? Are you unfamiliar with the word? Or are you simply making an assumption as to my motives and/or thought processes?
In either case, I'd ask that you reassess your statement.
>The rest of your comment is bad faith condensation.
Is it? I (unlike you) didn't quote me out of context.
I (unlike you, despite being asked to do so several times) responded with specific informattion to clarify my point.
I (unlike you) assumed good faith on your part and attempted to more clearly explain my thoughts. You did nothing of the sort and made a point of putting words in my mouth that I never said or implied, and don't believe.
It's unfortunate, but it seems I've been caught not taking my own advice[0]. Again. More's the pity.
>You're claiming that you're deliberately inappropriate but only when it's appropriate and never when it would give offense.
Yes. That is almost exactly what I said and definitely captures my meaning. I'm glad I could (after a fashion) get my point across to you.
>That's just how language works.
I'd call language a social construct. Whereas Using language is an action.
The former is a noun (person, place or thing -- in this case, a conceptual thing) and the latter is a verb (word describing an action) phrase relating to that thing.
And except for group chants (e.g., "Let's Go Mets!"), choirs, etc., using language is definitely an individual not collective action
That said, as a social construct, languages change all the time, exactly as you pointed out, based on usage.
You'll never catch me calling an SO (significant other -- which is a decades-old attempt to be more inclusive -- and private) 'bae', nor will you hear me say 'very unique', no matter how many other people use those terms.
Am I a bad, evil human being because I won't use various terms that are in broad use? I say 'no'.
Why? Because I (my brain/consciousness) control my communication systems, not popular usage.
I do my best to be kind and empathetic to those around me, not because I'm being forced to do so, but because I believe that doing so is a trait common to decent human beings, one of whom I aspire (and usually succeed) to be.
I'll go even further and say that context matters. There are many things I might say while down the pub with friends that I'd never say in a professional context or among strangers.
There's actually a term for that. It's called "code switching"[0].
And that brings up an odd, but widespread, change in our social discourse.
The online world, and especially social media, has (unless one takes steps to avoid doing so) comingled our personal, private and professional lives. Which is why I took/still take to heart advice I got nearly 30 years ago:
My boss/colleagues/clients/customers don't need to know what I do when I'm not working unless they happen to also be a part of my personal life. And those in my personal sphere don't need to know what's going on in my professional life.That's not to say there's never any overlap, but different facets of our lives don't need to intersect. Nor, in many (most?) cases, should they.
What's more, It's my choice as to what words I choose to express. And it's absolutely the choice of other folks to call me out if they feel that those words I choose aren't appropriate.
I'd add that I have a big mouth and am often deliberately inappropriate in (mostly successful) attempts at humor. But not in contexts where such things are socially unacceptable (e.g., in professional situations).
And if some folks don't appreciate me or my sense of humor and shun me as a result, that's just fine. No one is required to be subjected to me or my language.
I want to be around people who want to be around me. And not all of those either.
I don't require anyone's approval with regard to what I say or when. But if I misjudge the context of a situation, I may find myself (and I have) facing judgement, and sometimes consequences, for my speech.
Fortunately for me, at least in the US, I can say pretty much (with certain exceptions) anything I want without legal consequences. But that doesn't stop anyone from taking issue with what I say.
I'd ask that you go back and re-read my comment (several times, if necessary) and let me know if I'm not being inclusive or empathetic. That should be amusing.
[0] https://www.britannica.com/topic/code-switching