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Yes, it is a common misconception nowadays that there is a causal link between language and society. For example, in languages such as Spanish and German, femin
by xkcd1963 4y ago
Yes, it is a common misconception nowadays that there is a causal link between language and society. For example, in languages such as Spanish and German, feminists are seeking to introduce gender-neutral words in an attempt to facilitate equality. However, this is not the correct way around – language is shaped by society, with gender roles and stereotypes influencing the language rather than the other way round. Therefore, making changes to language is not only ineffective but rather counterproductive.