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
meaning of "gay" not so long ago was to be lighthearted or carefree, now it means someone of a homosexual orientation. People can use this now as a describing word for sexual orientation or as an insult when previously it could have been a compliment. This why people need to evolve along with the language they speak otherwise miscommunication's are bound to happen.
Consequently, the evolution of language is not always well reciprocated. As students grow and write more the question of "What Makes a Word Real?" can become a significant problem when the connotations of a word are opposite of what a student means. Although a dictionary is readily available no matter where you are in the world, people still refuse to look words up if they are uncertain. A word may have a hundred different meanings depending on the tone of the writer or speaker. New words are created and spoken everyday. That is how language began and that is how it needs to evolve. This also determines that when a person does not allow for change they may fall behind and create a language gap like the difference between millenials saying "no problem" rather than "you're welcome" to older generations. They see it as disrespectful when we mean that we are only doing what is expected of us and it was no problem to help them. A new word is not dangerous it is only a gateway to describe something previously unknown which is why translations of different texts and languages often give different meanings. They allow us to borrow words and create them in a way that suites our languages parameters. New editions of dictionaries will be constantly growing because we cannot solely determine what makes a word real, that is up to the population and if the word has any wide-spread usage.

In addition, words are only added to the dictionary when they have made a large impact on the language.
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
participants.

In essence, the TED talk that gives most inspiration and education to students is "What Makes a Word Real?". The fluidity of language requires people to allow for open interpretation of words previously known to them under a different meaning. Dictionaries change constantly and a large group of people must participate in order for it to make a difference in our language. This shows that the TED talk aforementioned is the most important and reliable source of information that allows for students to understanding that staying up to date with language is an important and necessary tool for one to be successful while writing papers in the future.