Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda
Anne Curzan: Say What? Says Who?
Aug 13, 2024
Anne Curzan, an expert in the history and evolution of language, dives into the dynamic nature of words and their meanings. She discusses how terms like 'funner' are becoming more accepted, contrasting 'wordies' who embrace change with 'gromandos' who resist it. Curzan emphasizes the importance of understanding linguistic evolution and the role of historical dictionaries. She also explores effective communication strategies, promoting empathy and the appreciation of diverse dialects in our ever-changing language landscape.
40:37
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Quick takeaways
- Language evolves over time, as demonstrated by the acceptance of new words like 'funner', reflecting children's instinctive grammatical creativity.
- Recognizing and embracing linguistic diversity in education fosters a richer understanding of language rather than enforcing a single standardized form.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Language and Humor
The discussion centers on the evolving nature of language, particularly highlighted by the choice of the word 'funner' in a new book's title. This word captures the essence of linguistic changes as young children instinctively create words to fit grammatical patterns, suggesting that such changes could become mainstream over time. The speaker believes that children often lead the way in language evolution, indicating that 'funner' and 'funnest' may eventually gain acceptance. The dialogue promotes a lighthearted attitude towards language variability and invites curiosity about emerging uses.
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