Slay new words in the dictionary
Groovy and Dude are old hat. There are some 300 new words that have been added to the dictionary. Now, let’s wait and see who starts speaking like this, yea? It’ll be wicked.
Language, as I write this piece, is evolving. Perhaps, getting outdated far quicker than even technology. So no wonder, when last week dictionary.com came up with an update of an inclusion of 300 new words and definitions to its existing entries — no one, including linguists, educators, writers, poets, and you and I, was surprised. In fact, many were relieved—after all, language is supposed to be a reflection of everything from news stories to fashion trends, right? We had an idea: why not walk up with a few additions to individuals who matter — the ones who teach, write, read, and talk.
“My favourite word from the list is ‘Slay’. It means to command and be amazing at everything that you’re doing. I try to slay everyday, all day. I work to be the best!” says Brittni Joy, ADEC head of faculty, Al Ain. “I use the word probably once a day. In my writing, I use it sparingly as it’s a slang, but in everyday conversation I slay all day.” When not in school, Brittni writes poetry and is also working on a series of children’s books. “I love to write — the activity is an extension of my life, my love, and my imagination.” And does she have a favourite word, outside the new list? Agape. “It means continuous love.”
“The world around us is constantly changing and so is English language. The additions that dictionary.com has made are words, which we’d come across in articles on social media or otherwise, but hadn’t formally found a place so far,” says Swastika Khosla, English Language Teacher (Middle School), GEMS New Millennium School, Al Khail.
Anushka Chugani, Director of Operations, Hale Education Group, Dubai, uses the word ‘Struggle Bus’ with her colleagues as well as when she speaks to high school students at the institute. “It is a word we see students use more actively today, especially when they find themselves in challenging situations. I think we all have those moments where we feel overwhelmed and ride the struggle bus; what I like most about this word is that being on a ‘bus’ implies that we can ultimately get off the bus; we move through setbacks and hardships, and are not permanently stuck in them.” She too has a favourite word: Perfect.
“Inclusion of these words, friendiversary (the annual recurrence of the date that two or more people first became friends) for instance, is definitely a breath of fresh air for my students, giving them a room to use the words they’ve been speaking and listening to,” says Swastika. She too writes poetry (free verse) and is excited to include the new words in her next poem.
As educators, does their response to the additions vary? “Like two sides of a coin, language is changing both for good and bad. While a lot of youngsters have started using slang in both verbal and formal pieces of writing without even realising it, mindful inclusion of new words in dictionaries is definitely a good step in accommodating diversity in English language keeping the changing times in mind.”
“Most, if not all of these words are contemporary slang. The formal inclusion of informal words into a standard English dictionary is an interesting paradox. Language is continuously evolving, and slang words are often associated with particular time periods. For example, ‘Groovy’ and ‘Dude’ may have been trendy words in the past, but these are not really used in any academic or professional writing even today. It is likely that these new words will be reserved primarily for colloquial, and not formal or literary use,” says Anushka. “I have to be careful especially around second language learners to use these words and express the context. But to be honest, I use a lot of slang because my students tend to watch lots of videos that include these words. Dabbing and throwing shade (to insult, criticise, or disrespect a person or thing in an indirect, artful manner) are used so often by my students,” says Brittni.
Anushka sums up the discussion aptly when she adds, “Whether it’s in terms of current slang, musical tastes or TV shows, the better we know the culture our students live in today, the better we can relate, communicate, and connect with them.” In that case, the dictionary seems to be doing its job well.
PS: The art of spoken and written conversation too is changing, but we’ll leave that discussion for another day.
Language is changing — always for the good. Although I do think it should be cultivated to keep old habits and writing styles and skills around. Language changes with the times — so does food and architecture, so let’s relish the words. Brittni Joy ADEC faculty head, Al Ain
My personal favourite is ‘Black Lives Matter’... what could be better than a dictionary incorporating a term used for a discriminationfree society? My students often come across the words in articles or on social media and question their usage. Swastika Khosla GEMS New Millennium
School, Dubai
The fact that so many slang words have been introduced into the dictionary in recent years is simply reflective of the society we live in; on a daily basis, we are now more exposed to informal language than formal literature.
Anushka Chugani Hale Education Group, Dubai