8 Comments

This is very insightful. Amazing job Rebecca!

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Thanks, Daniel! :)

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Great article. One of the great changes in linguistics over the last few decades is the recognition that languages and dialects that were once considered inferior versions of the real deal actually have as much subtlety and nuance in their structure as those other languages. To master them takes the same ability as needed to master other languages.

On that subject, a feature of American English that catches me is highlighted in your article when you write "is it legitimate enough of a language variety to warrant formal documentation via dictionary?" That construction sounds odd to my NZ ears, which want to hear "is it a legitimate enough" etc. But in American English it's something you hear a lot. Maybe I'll write a piece on it someday, explaining why my version is correct!

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Thanks for your comment, Ken! What an important shift it's been for the linguistics world. Of course, I still don't mind the occasional prescriptivist debate -- will be looking out for your article on "legitimate"!

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Super interesting!

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Glad you enjoyed it, Anne!!

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Hi Rebecca, Maurice here again. This article is beaut !! Really shows how English is a vibrantly living language. Neither Shakespeare or Chaucer, those marvelous past pillars of authorship, would be able to clearly grasp the speech of today. I pick up on one word - "boo"..... Now I ain't clear on which ways different Americans would pronounce it. But back in the UK the double oo is pronounced as in boot. Here in Nederland as in Beau. So here's the origin of boo - it comes from French, usually how one refers to one's paramour. Can also be applied to a handsome man, think Beau Geste.

With best wishes from Maurice's Substack - which goes live at midnite tonite !!

Peace, Maurice

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Thanks for your comment, Maurice -- I love witnessing all the exciting ways that our language evolves!!

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