What Makes A Word Real?

TED talks are typically motivational speeches that vary in length and topics. They provide information and education that allow students, teachers, and the general population to access and use as an invaluable resource. Within this class we have watched eight TED talks that have given a new insight into each part of speech or the English language. Although the TED talks all have value within this class there is only one that stands out, "What Makes a Word Real?". What does make a word real? The importance of integrating new language into our writing goes beyond just vocabulary. It allows for language to change and evolve along with the people that use it. The influence this TED talk demonstrates that language changes, people need to be ready to change with the language, and dictionaries are written to fit with these changing standards.

Language is almost like a fluid in some ways. Trying to find an exact meaning to a word is like trying to say liquid can only fit into one shape, it is impossible. There are so many meanings and connotations that are imposed on words as a language evolves it becomes almost difficult to pinpoint exactly what a person means if you were reading a book from a century ago. A common word that has a completely different meaning than intended when it was used over a century ago is the word "gay". The
As the TED speaker explains in "What Makes a Word Real?" the issue many dictionary editors face is usage. They care if a word is just a fad or will actually stick around past a certain time threshold. The want to apear cutting edge with the words that are added but must retain an unbiased attitude so as to not remove a word just because a member of the voting committee does not like it. One singular person does not decide what does and does not make the cut into a dictionary, it is a committee of well educated and informed