Language Evolution: An Insight from a Linguistics Scholar Regarding New Vocabulary Adoptions
In the ever-changing world we live in, language is no exception to the rule of evolution. Christopher Green, an associate professor of linguistics in the College of Arts and Sciences, sheds light on this fascinating process.
The term "social distancing," which gained widespread use during the pandemic, serves as a poignant reminder of how new words can quickly become a part of our collective memory. But language evolution isn't just about responding to crises—it's also about adaptation and innovation.
Throughout history, generational terms have played a significant role in this process. From "rad" and "cool" to "fly," "hip," "neato," "fire," "lit," and "savage," these words have marked the zeitgeist of different generations. Completely new terms do occasionally surface, such as "yeet," which means to throw something away and emerged among younger social media users.
The spread of new terms is accelerated by modern technology, particularly social media and global news cycles. For instance, the slang term "yeet" spread quickly through social media communities and entered mainstream usage much faster than older neologisms might have in pre-digital eras. The internet amplifies cultural shifts by connecting diverse communities, making new terms more visible and enabling faster testing, adaptation, and normalization.
So, what makes a neologism stick? For a term to be accepted and used by a community, it must have a meaning associated with a string of sounds. Understanding neologism patterns helps us appreciate language as a living, breathing entity shaped by community use, cultural identity, and technological advancement.
The process of language evolution involves the creation, acceptance, and spread of new terms within a community and eventually more broadly. Cultural shifts significantly influence neologism creation, with marginalized communities often driving mainstream language innovation.
A neologism gains acceptance and becomes part of mainstream American English primarily through community adoption and repeated use: a term must be embraced by a community of speakers who find it useful and relevant, leading to broader societal adoption over time[1]. Most new words are variations or repurposings of existing terms rather than completely original creations, though some wholly new neologisms do emerge. The adoption process is fluid and informal; dictionary inclusion or linguistic society recognition marks acknowledgment rather than definitive “official” status[1].
In summary, the acceptance of a neologism depends on community use and cultural relevance, with social media serving as a powerful catalyst that spreads and popularizes new words at unprecedented speed in American English[1].
Interestingly, many neologisms follow cyclical patterns, appearing, disappearing, and sometimes reemerging based on changing circumstances. Generational language patterns repeat over time, with each generation having its own terms to express liking. Terms like "work," "yes queen," "serve," and "slay" are examples of neologisms popularized in LGBTQ ballroom culture.
The concept of a word becoming "officially" part of the language is more fluid than many realize, with informal recognition coming from dictionaries adding new words and the American Dialect Society's "word (or phrase) of the year" vote. These informal recognitions do not bestow official status on a word, but they do reflect the dynamic and ever-changing nature of language in the digital age. The key difference today is the speed and scale of dissemination, with social media enabling instant global communication.
Neologisms, like "yeet," often emerge in social media communities and spread rapidly due to their cultural relevance.
Community adoption and use of a neologism, such as "yeet," are crucial for its acceptance and eventual integration into mainstream American English.
