The Root of it All

We speak, read, and write automatically. There is not much thought before words like “Hello, how are you?” leave your mouth. There is not a question regarding the words we say, when you type out a polite text. Reading through your to-do list is an everyday task, without the trouble of understanding the ink written on the page. This is because, we are so accustomed to our language, that speaking, reading, and writing is a reflex. We forget that our language is way more complex, that the roots of our words have reasons for their meanings and these meanings change over time.

English grammar rules stem from Latin. We tend to incorrectly use grammar because the rules change so quickly. I see a word, and instantly split up the morphemes, recalling the Latin definitions of some, and realizing how certain words came to mean what they mean today. But we do not keep up with our grammar rules, resulting in inevitable errors when he says. The same word can have multiple meanings, and different words can have the same meaning. Our language is intricate and fascinating. We should adore it for it’s dynamic characteristics.

English is a forever growing language. This is another trait we should admire with the words we speak. We see our language develop right before our eyes; the inventions of a new word is just a few simple keyboard clicks away. Even the most recent dictionaries do not have all the words, because new words are created in the blink of an eye. Well-known Anglo-American author, Bill Bryson once said, “Changes stem from popular use, not from the dictates of a committee” expressing the idea that a new word is not determined formally, it comes about because people use it. Whether we do or do not want to classify some of the things people say today as “words”, there are some words that become so popular, you cannot help, but consider them a legitimate word. There are infinite possibilities for new words, and as a result, it is almost impossible to know every word in the English language.

Our language truly is powerful. Learning the roots of words makes you realize our language has reasons for putting specific morphemes together. I enjoy seeing more than just the obvious definition of a word now, and understanding where the bases stem from. The concept of our always evolving language, and how words are invented made me appreciate the spontaneity we hold with the words we write. How much power we have to change our language, and witness the shifts in words we use throughout the years. I think it’s safe to say, our language is pretty amazing.