Normally I say the "usage defines meaning" argument is flimsy at best and actively encourages misuse that ultimately limits the ability for precision and nuance in language. 'Since' isn't causal, 'because' (as one can guess) is. "I've been sick since Thursday" means one thing, "I've been dice because of Thursday" means a different thing.

But then an old farmer will tell you a story about needing to buy some rubbers because they're getting into their tranny and I think, "those words don't mean that to me."

[–] lugal@sopuli.xyz 10 points 11 months ago (3 children)

the "usage defines meaning" argument is flimsy at best

So what else does? I never understood how you can reason the objective meaning of a bunch of phonemes. If usage doesn't define meaning, you can look up the meaning in a dictionary. But if it's a good dictionary, it deduces the meaning of the word by its usage. There is ultimately no other way.

[–] Phil_in_here@lemmy.ca 11 points 11 months ago (2 children)

But then a good dictionary is ultimately personal, contextual, regional, and ephemeral, making it ultimately useless.

I will never recognise 'suposably' as a proper English word. But my children might, and so to their children, until it universally is a correct, proper word. That's the scope of the tide of language.

Its a necessary battle between the old ways and the new, one that I know I am ever drifting to the wrong side of. When some people use the word wrong, they are wrong. When everyone uses the word wrong, they are right. The old guard dies and the new gaurd rises.

[–] dontpanic@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)