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Languages grow simpler over time, in my view. I'm not an etymologist, but in my experience, long phrases that are used often are replaced with simpler ones. Thi
by striking 11y ago
Languages grow simpler over time, in my view. I'm not an etymologist, but in my experience, long phrases that are used often are replaced with simpler ones. This isn't just in English, it's the same in Polish.
And if you don't trust my anecdata, look up the German and Japanese language reform. I don't speak much of those, but they have stronger ruling bodies over their language, making it easier to track change in language. It appears the reforms slowly make the language simpler, based on feedback from the populace.
- Retra 11y agoReplacing long phrases with fewer words is not "simpler" in any measure of language simplicity I've ever heard. In fact, "simple" usually means fewer words and variety, and thus, longer sentences for covering more complex concepts. An explosion of jargon and slang doesn't make a language simple, it adds layers and layers of exclusivity and nuance.
- yongjik 11y agoThat's debatable. As a learner of English as a foreign language, I (and my classmates) had a much harder time understanding "simple" words. Throw a word like "rotate", and it's just a matter of memorizing what the word means. Throw in a "simple" word like "turn", and it has a gazillion different meanings for every situation. It's a total nightmare for language learners.
- Retra 11y agoHave you read Simple English? 'Turn' has many meanings because it has been used too often for reducing the number of words in sentences. You only have two choices when you want to do this: invent a new term (and totally confuse everyone) or use a related term (and let tome of the existing meaning bleed through.) Both of which make the language more complex.
- deleted 11y ago[deleted]