this post was submitted on 14 Jul 2024
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[–] Nelots@lemm.ee 7 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (3 children)

It doesn't change magically. It changes through continuous usage and acceptance from society. That's how language works.

Some examples. When was the last time you heard somebody say something was "awful", as in awe inspiring? When a kid says literally, do you take them 100% seriously or do you accept that the word's changed to be a synonym for "figuratively" among younger people? And as far as spelling is concerned, colour and color are both correct spellings, depending on where you live. Gray vs grey, acknowledgment vs acknowledgement, same thing. Or look at barbecue vs barbeque; the latter was incorrect for a very long time until the popularization of the abbreviation BBQ, after which it became a commonly accepted variant.

These things were not always correct, and yet, now they are. Society adopts and uses different meanings and spellings for words all the time. Sorry friend, you're not the arbiter of English. It changes with or without you onboard.

[–] zarkanian@sh.itjust.works 2 points 4 months ago

Yes, but what we're talking about is far too new and infrequent for that to have happened yet.

[–] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

It changes through continuous usage and acceptance from society.

"Clique popularity", then.

Point out the largest clique and see what they've done already. Witness your future to come. Hint: America's 'literally' and its dog-food spelling isn't the leader.

[–] Nelots@lemm.ee 1 points 4 months ago

Hint: America’s ‘literally’ and its dog-food spelling isn’t the leader.

Okay? I'm talking about American English. Everybody's languages evolve differently based on their culture. I'm American, so American English is what I know best.

[–] z00s@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Neither are you, friend. One webcomic does not change the language.

Enjoy your pasgetti with tomatoe sauce while you drink your expresso. Remember to enjoy it's flava.