The Lexicographer's Rules

On Sunday, April 22, at 6 p.m. PST I’ll be joining Anu Garg of A Word a Day to discuss the nature of slang: its place in English, whether it represents linguistic innovation or corruption, and why people have such a visceral reaction to it.

It’s an open text chat, meaning that anyone with a computer can sign on to the chat forum and lob questions. I’ll be answering them at 80 words per minute (as fast as I can type) and Anu will be handling moderation. We expect a lively and vigorous conversation from all corners of the Internet.

Join the chat.

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“Does slang degrade or reinvigorate English?” intriguing question. tru’dat. unfortunately i’ll be stackin’ cheese at my brick and mortar gig when the chat is goin’ down. so since i won’t be able to hang then i figured i’d holla back now.
:-)

with so many 21st century resources available if a translation/interpretation is needed [for example after reading your item about bandit bagu] communication shouldn’t be lost. that said, i’m in the reinvigorate camp, as long as the fundamentals [be it english or any other language] are not completely abandoned.

L8r guey

“Does slang degrade or reinvigorate English?” Is this even a question?

The English language is one of the most democratic institutions every devised. People nominate their candidates (slang words), and then we vote on them by using them or not. Oh, sure, there are the self-appointed judges (dictionary editors), but we are free to ignore their decisions, and if a word becomes popular enough, they are eventually forced to reverse their decisions.

And it is the creation, evolution, and acceptance of new words that makes English such a great language. It is adaptable, always current, and like most of the countries where it is spoken, its success is based in large part on its acceptance of immigrants (non-English words that become part of the language).

I’ll try to remember to join in the discussion.