Worklife with Adam Grant cover image

Worklife with Adam Grant

Decoding Gen-Z slang and grammar pet peeves with linguist Anne Curzan

Jul 2, 2024
Anne Curzan, a linguist and English professor at the University of Michigan, shares her love for language in a lively discussion. She tackles grammar rules and whether they truly make sense in today’s world. Curzan and her host delve into the playful world of Gen-Z slang and the fascinating evolution of language. They explore the peculiarities of English pronunciation, such as the word 'colonel,' and the shift in attitudes towards language usage, promoting curiosity over rigid grammar rules.
37:23

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Acceptance of 'me' over 'I' in English usage showcases linguistic evolution.
  • Internet culture influences language trends, highlighting the dynamic nature of communication.

Deep dives

Evolution of Language Norms

The discussion revolves around the evolving norms of language usage with insights on the democratization of grammar rules in contemporary communication. The podcast delves into the shift from rigid language conventions to embracing linguistic evolution, exemplifying instances like the acceptance of 'me' over 'I' in English usage along with the adaptability of singular 'data points' instead of 'datums'.

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