I wrote this a while ago on a blog I keep private. At least I think I do. I suppose not much is private anymore. Feeling strongly about the subject matter, I decided to move it here. It isn't about any of the topics listed above but I strayed from that list long ago. The person who makes adjustments for me is willing to change that list but that requires my making decisions I'm not ready to make.
About this, I am ready. I am watching the beauty of our English language die a slow and painful death.
Text speak is horrifying to a linguaphile. I didn’t know that word until I googled looking for a word to express my passion for the English language. Linguaphile means ‘a lover of words’. As it happens there seem to be two other words that mean pretty much the same. Lexophile and logophile. All three show up and are defined on Google. New words are being hastily added to our lexicons at a speed which denies authenticity. Usage seems to be the only requirement and we watch as good English is scrambled and mutilated with horrendous frequency at the mercy of an iPhone?
Lately, I’ve been thinking of words I miss.
Risqué. When have you heard that word used? I have a feeling it has fallen into oblivion because nothing is considered so these days. A bawdy revue, in another time, might have been described as risqué. These days, the same show can be found on any of the major TV channels. My little mama would be appalled at the hip gyrating and the outrageous costumes on Dancing With The Stars.
Finesse. What a lovely word. It means to do something in a ‘subtle or delicate manner’. Maybe the term is still used in bridge. There doesn't seem to be much of it going on in society.
Eloquent. When have you heard a speaker described as eloquent? "Fluent or persuasive". These days we get sound bites. No fluency required.
Obsolescent. What is happening to the beauty of our language.
Please!
I'm with you ➡ faster has changed so many things in our life. And not always for the better like with so many other things. And it can lead to a lot of mis-understanding too.
ReplyDeleteAh, those are really good words. I used "risqué" this very week, though it might have been something stronger I was looking for. And "eloquent," I'm happy to say, I do use fairly often -- I guess I am reading and listening to some other people who respect the language.
ReplyDelete"Splendid" is a word I like to use, and a grocery store cashier in dreadlocks used it one day when I asked him how he was. He turned out to be a lover of words so I try to go through his line if he is working.
Sound bites are lamentable! At least, if it must be short, let it be a pithy quote. I'm glad I stumbled across your blog in 2017. Happy New Year!