Words: Language is Constantly Evolving
Should We Use the Original Meaning or Keep Up with the Times?
1. the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science.
2. the terminology of an art, science, etc.; technical nomenclature.
3. a technological process, invention, method, or the like.
4. the sum of the ways in which social groups provide themselves with the material objects of their civilization.
Origin:
1605-15; < Gk technología systematic treatment.
The author of the article I read proceeded to explain to all that because of the original meaning, if you garden and compost, you can call yourself a gardening technologist. To see the error of this, I point you to the Dictionary.com definition of the word technologist:
a person who specializes in technology.
Origin:
1855-60; technolog(y) + -ist
As an example, let's say you love making coffee. You purchase coffee beans, grind these beans and perhaps have a choice of several different machines at your disposal to drip or press your coffee. Does this mean you are a coffee technologist? Not by the definition given above. You can call yourself a coffee aficionado (an ardent devotee; fan, enthusiast) but you would not specialize in the technology of coffee. Someone who is part of the process of designing or creating the machines you utilize for your coffee making would be called a coffee technologist (if there is such a title). In the case of gardening, if you are involved in the process of designing or creating a gardening tool, then you could be called a gardening technologist. Merely participating in the love of gardening makes you a gardening aficionado.
While the original definitions of words are very important, it's necessary to understand that the English language is constantly evolving. Take the word nice. It's original Latin meaning was 'not to know'. Originally a 'nice person' meant someone who was someone who was ignorant or unknowing. Now the word nice means pleasing or agreeable.
Origin:
1250-1300; ME: foolish, stupid < OF: silly, simple < L nescius ignorant, incapable, equiv. to ne- negative prefix + sci- (s. of scire to know; see science ) + -us adj. suffix
Merriam Webster online definition of nice (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nice):
Etymology: Middle English, foolish, wanton, from Anglo-French, silly, simple, from Latin nescius ignorant, from nescire not to know
Date: 14th century
My point is simply this. Learn about the original meaning of the words you use - this can further your understanding of the word or words. However, understand that language is an evolving creature and always will be. To use only the original meaning is to be stagnate.
Published by Susanne Bullo
Accomplished web developer for 15 years. Work: PHP, MySQL, Drupal, OSCommerce, Wordpress, & many other web programs & technologies. Extensive knowledge in server admin/maintenance. Mom of 3 beautiful & brig... View profile
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12 Comments
Post a CommentPlease do feel free. If you'll note, I originally stated that the phrase in question was mentioned elsewhere and I simply broke it down and explained how it is incorrect. The intent of my article is to show how words evolve and sticking with original meaning does not create correct results.
Sandra - thanks! The word "gay" is a perfect example of evolving language. A bit of poking around has shown there are more than a few every day words that have a completely new meaning than their original.
Well, I'm a garden hobbyist. Back to the article. Susanne, your article puts a whole new meaning on the term "Minnesota Nice"! (I was transplanted to this state by marriage. Promise!) Your premise that language has evolved and continues to be fluid is also demonstrated by the word "gay". How many people emerging from the time period known as the "Gay Nineties" would have foreseen a time when that word would apply to individuals who identify themselves as homosexual? Of course, that was an easy example. Your article showed some excellent research. Good job.
Actually I did build a few of the machines in my household as well as a lot of the network within my home setup. There is a big difference between putting up a website that is largely accomplished by company products and software (meaning you type in a few things and viola you have a website) and actually working with the programs and technology behind it. The same goes for me in my garden - I'm a gardening aficionado, not a gardening technologist. See my tangent on coffee making above. I do thank you for your input!
Completely logical. However, my point was that if I enjoy gardening in the sense that I simply garden and maybe compost, that doesn't make me a gardening technologist. What you have pointed out is that you deal with the technology behind gardening. That is different and I would see how that would enable you (and others doing the same thing with or without pay) to label yourself as a gardening technologist. Merely enjoying a specific task doesn't make you a "technologist" of it.
Garden Tech - great! Well, see there you go. You are definitely a garden technologist :) Hope the job trend swings back up for you!
Steve Ross - I take it you are involved with the technology behind gardening, correct?
Thanks Branwen66! I was rather surprised when I did the research on the word "nice". I'll think of the original meaning whenever I use it now LOL
So many layers to words... so much history. And yes, the more we appreciate the richness of language, the more effectively we can use it in communication. Great read!
Carol - LOL thank you :)