Where do new words come from? - Marcel Danesi

Summary

The script explores the dynamic nature of the English language, highlighting how approximately 1,000 new words are added to the Oxford English Dictionary annually. It delves into the sources of these words, including borrowing from other languages, combining existing words, and reviving obsolete ones with new meanings. The script also examines the process by which words become mainstream, emphasizing the role of ordinary people and the internet in spreading catchy and useful terms. It concludes by illustrating the self-referential phenomenon of words like 'meme' and 'autological,' reflecting on the way words evolve to represent our world and communication.

Takeaways

• 📚 The Oxford English Dictionary adds approximately 1,000 new words annually to keep pace with societal and technological evolution.
• 🌐 English has a rich history of borrowing words from other languages, accounting for nearly half of its vocabulary, to express new ideas and concepts.
• 🏛️ Words like 'altar' and 'jury' were introduced to England through cultural exchanges with Rome and France, reflecting the influence of legal and religious concepts.
• 🍲 Trade and cultural interactions have also contributed to the English language, with words like 'coffee', 'spaghetti', and 'curry' entering the lexicon from various cuisines.
• 🔬 Scientific advancements have led to the creation of new words, such as 'clone', derived from Ancient Greek, to describe modern concepts.
• 🌐 English not only borrows from other languages but also lends words like 'software', showcasing a dynamic and reciprocal linguistic exchange.
• 🔄 The process of creating new words can involve combining existing words into compound words (e.g., 'airport', 'starfish') or by blending parts of words (e.g., 'spork', 'brunch', 'internet').
• 🔄 Obsolete words can be revitalized by adopting new meanings, as seen with 'villain' and 'geek', which have evolved significantly over time.
• 🔄 The evolution of word meanings can also occur through irony, metaphor, or misuse, as exemplified by words like 'sick' or 'wicked' being used to express admiration.
• 🌐 The mainstream adoption of new words often stems from their usefulness and catchiness, as influenced by ordinary people and cultural propagation, rather than official sources.
• 🌐 The term 'meme' itself exemplifies how new words can become part of the language, starting as a concept from Richard Dawkins and evolving with the help of the internet.
• 🔄 Words are autological when they describe the process of their own creation or existence, reflecting the dynamic nature of language and its adaptation to societal changes.

Q & A

How many new words are added to the Oxford English Dictionary each year?

Approximately 1,000 new words are added to the Oxford English Dictionary annually.

What is one of the ways new words are introduced into the English language?

One way new words are introduced is by absorbing words from other languages.

How has English borrowed words from other languages throughout its history?

English has borrowed words from other languages due to historical, cultural, and trade influences, with nearly half of its vocabulary coming directly from other languages.

What are some examples of words borrowed from other languages due to the introduction of new concepts or items?

Examples include 'altar' and 'jury' from Rome and France, and 'coffee' from Arabic, 'spaghetti' from Italian, and 'curry' from India.

Why do scientists sometimes use classical languages to name new concepts?

Scientists use classical languages to name new concepts because they often have the right word for a complex idea or emotion, or to describe a new scientific phenomenon.

What is the origin of the word 'clone' and how does it relate to its modern meaning?

The word 'clone' comes from the Ancient Greek word for twig, which describes creating a new plant from a piece of the old, relating to the modern concept of creating a genetically identical copy.

How do compound words and word blends contribute to the English vocabulary?

Compound words and word blends contribute to the vocabulary by combining existing words or parts of words to convey a new concept, such as 'airport', 'starfish', 'spork', 'brunch', or 'internet'.

What is an example of a word that has changed meaning over time and why did its meaning change?

The word 'villain' originally meant a peasant farmer but changed to mean someone not bound by the knightly code of chivalry, reflecting a shift in social attitudes.

How can words come to mean their opposite through irony, metaphor, or misuse?

Words can come to mean their opposite through various linguistic processes, such as when 'sick' or 'wicked' are used to describe something literally amazing.

What role do ordinary people play in the mainstream adoption of new words?

Ordinary people play a significant role in spreading words that are useful and catchy, which can then become mainstream through widespread usage and acceptance.

How did the word 'meme' evolve and what does it describe in the context of language?

The word 'meme', coined by Richard Dawkins, originally described how ideas and symbols propagate through culture. With the advent of the Internet, it came to refer specifically to a kind of image that spreads rapidly online, illustrating the process of how words become part of language.

What is the term for a word that describes itself and why is 'meme' considered autological?

The term is 'autological'. 'Meme' is considered autological because it not only describes the process of how words become part of language, but the word itself became popular through the same process.