By Brian Nzomo.
Language purists argue that it is a destructive move allowing new words, phrases and meanings in any particular language; supporting the claim that doing this would render a language superfluous and unsteady to withstand the morbidity of its importance.
On the other hand, linguists supporting the enhancement of all facets of language by use of accentious words and informal additions, claim that a language that doesn’t embrace change will die a natural death. That sterility of a language is path to extinction.
Agreeably and understandably, languages need to be conservative about how they embrace change. Language needs to be steady. There needs to be a solid timeline in such a way there is no immense disparity between its foundations and its progenies.
But like a rose flower that would wither in calescent weather, a language cannot remain sterile and unreasonably rigid for many years and expect to survive the present and future. Language is a crucial factor of communication that is grounded in the culture of humanity. Culture, life and all aspects of humanity are never stagnant. They are dynamic. They change. What we had in the past could possibly be what we don’t have in the future. What we would have in the future could possibly be unknown of in the past. Therefore language aspects die, as some are born. The nature of language is life. It breathes once, develops and grows at some point, and finally dies when it becomes defunct.
Humans need to understand that language does not exist independently. We own it. We propagate it. Without us, language would not have any use. So in as much as we need to ensure its stability to wreck out confusion and pleonasticism, it is our duty to encapsulate progress of language parallel to our progress.
But like a rose flower that would wither in calescent weather, a language cannot remain sterile and unreasonably rigid for many years and expect to survive the present and future.
Be it in the spheres of technology, romance and media, there will always be a solemn need to ground every novel idea. Because language exists for communication. We cannot stop communicating simply because such an idea cannot be elaborated by a certain language.
There should be no danger at all doing this. Linguists only need to consider the crucial factor of time. Some words die as soon as they are born and don’t live long. These can be disregarded. But if an aspect grows exponentially and develops across the spheres it is mostly used, it is notable to be considered for introduction.
It is the nature of language. Let it change, albeit with caution.
Brian Nzomo is a third year student at the Kenyatta university studying Media studies. Contact him via email : bryonzoms505@gmail.com
BRIGHT NEWS ONLINE. 