6 ms·

I’m the person who has been explaining that the meaning of words comes from how they are used, not from how committees define them. The committees might influen

I’m the person who has been explaining that the meaning of words comes from how they are used, not from how committees define them. The committees might influence people but ultimately words’ meanings come from how they are used. If you require a scientific expression of this concept, you might find distributional semantics of interest[1]. When people change how they use a word, its meaning changes. Far from having a single, universal meaning, the word “planet” means a number of different things today depending on whom you ask[2]. I have been defending the right for myself and for others to continue using their own language, without harassment from others in the names of scientific bodies. There was a time when linguists would prescribe that words like “y’all” are incorrect to use, and people would be shamed and discriminated against for doing so. Armchair scientists are behind the linguists on this one. We have lost cultural heritage and seen beautiful dialects gradually shrink or disappear due to prescriptive linguistics, and we now understand the harms, and it’s time that it ended. Yes, people are free to use words in the ways that make sense and come naturally to them. No, it is not appropriate for people to treat others with disrespect for doing so. Harassment is harassment, bullying people into changing how they speak is bullying. This is not a philosophical point, it’s about being a decent person. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributional_semantics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributional_semantics [2] https://xkcd.com/927/ https://xkcd.com/927/

Timon3 15d ago
Again, when you receive multiple comments disagreeing with yours and feel harassed, the likely reason is not a conspiracy to harass you until you change your mind. Of course everyone should be respectful, but as long as they're not deliberately piling on and just respond to your comment at a similar time, you have to respect their right to express disagreement just like you want the right to express yours.
- odyssey7 15d ago
  Be mindful of placing words into the mouths of others. A desire that certain people refrain from harassment is not a claim that a conspiracy exists. A lack of originality and self-awareness is not in itself a sign that someone is conspiring with other people who lack originality and self-awareness.

Timon3 15d ago

Again, when you receive multiple comments disagreeing with yours and feel harassed, the likely reason is not a conspiracy to harass you until you change your mind. Of course everyone should be respectful, but as long as they're not deliberately piling on and just respond to your comment at a similar time, you have to respect their right to express disagreement just like you want the right to express yours.

odyssey7 15d ago
Be mindful of placing words into the mouths of others. A desire that certain people refrain from harassment is not a claim that a conspiracy exists. A lack of originality and self-awareness is not in itself a sign that someone is conspiring with other people who lack originality and self-awareness.