Yes, all words change, and the structure underlying them. Changes that occur naturally are hard to contain, so they either catch on or they don't under their own steam. Those bother us much less, though we may bemoan each noun that becomes a verb when it begins.
I draw some distinction when changes are mandated. If pronoun changes are desired, people should simply start using them. If they catch on, those who prefer the old usages will adapt, and/or eventually die. If the new usages do not catch on, then the culture has not embraced them and it is groovy when they just fall away.
To mandate change is to be impatient, making people do what you want because they are not moving quickly enough.
3 comments:
Yes, all words change, and the structure underlying them. Changes that occur naturally are hard to contain, so they either catch on or they don't under their own steam. Those bother us much less, though we may bemoan each noun that becomes a verb when it begins.
I draw some distinction when changes are mandated. If pronoun changes are desired, people should simply start using them. If they catch on, those who prefer the old usages will adapt, and/or eventually die. If the new usages do not catch on, then the culture has not embraced them and it is groovy when they just fall away.
To mandate change is to be impatient, making people do what you want because they are not moving quickly enough.
That third fellow studied his Olde English. Mayhaps he remembered a passage from Beowulf.
Buncha filthy pharmacists!
Post a Comment