ext_13280 ([identity profile] corpsefairy.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] joreth 2009-07-02 01:44 am (UTC)

Regarding language change: I like to say that I'm a conservative descriptivist. Yes, language changes, but that doesn't mean people can Humpty Dumpty* their way into making words do whatever they like.

That's one of the very few areas of my life where I'd describe myself as conservative.

*From "Through the Looking-Glass":
"There's glory for you!"
"I don't know what you mean by 'glory,'" Alice said.
Humpty Dumpty smiled contemptuously. "Of course you don't—till I tell you. I meant 'there's a nice knock-down argument for you!'"
"But 'glory' doesn't mean 'a nice knock-down argument,'" Alice objected.
"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less."

Post a comment in response:

This account has disabled anonymous posting.
If you don't have an account you can create one now.
HTML doesn't work in the subject.
More info about formatting