Language changes, plus bonus inspiration
The first part of today's ramblings is cross-posted at AuthorsNow!:
The other day on Twitter, I was talking about the change in spelling from “all right” to “alright.” When I was growing up, teachers pounded it into my head that there was no such word as “alright;” it was a heinous misspelling of “all right.”
And now, “alright” has become accepted usage. It’s hard for me to get used to, but the fact is that our language changes. Words fall into and out of fashion; old rules die (You can now end sentences with prepositions!), spelling changes, and new words appear (internet and teh, for examples that didn’t exist when I was born).
Language is something that all of us build, maintain, and develop through an ever-changing consensus. It has its arbiters and authorities, but every day, millions of people adapt it for their own purposes. Sometimes we consult the authorities–say, when we consult a grammar text or a dictionary. And sometimes the authorities consult us, as when new words are added to the dictionary.
It’s exciting to think of books, our current body of literature, as shaping the future, as much as they’ve been shaped by the past.
And for your bonus inspiration, please read this post by David Lubar on "market wisdom," Two quick snippets to tempt you:
" ... while it is fine to give some thought to commercial considerations, I think the single most important part of deciding how to spend the next month, half year, or decade of writing time is to keep company with the idea that excites you so much, you can't imagine not writing about it."
" ... passion is contagious, especially when sprinkled across the printed page."
The other day on Twitter, I was talking about the change in spelling from “all right” to “alright.” When I was growing up, teachers pounded it into my head that there was no such word as “alright;” it was a heinous misspelling of “all right.”
And now, “alright” has become accepted usage. It’s hard for me to get used to, but the fact is that our language changes. Words fall into and out of fashion; old rules die (You can now end sentences with prepositions!), spelling changes, and new words appear (internet and teh, for examples that didn’t exist when I was born).
Language is something that all of us build, maintain, and develop through an ever-changing consensus. It has its arbiters and authorities, but every day, millions of people adapt it for their own purposes. Sometimes we consult the authorities–say, when we consult a grammar text or a dictionary. And sometimes the authorities consult us, as when new words are added to the dictionary.
It’s exciting to think of books, our current body of literature, as shaping the future, as much as they’ve been shaped by the past.
And for your bonus inspiration, please read this post by David Lubar on "market wisdom," Two quick snippets to tempt you:
" ... while it is fine to give some thought to commercial considerations, I think the single most important part of deciding how to spend the next month, half year, or decade of writing time is to keep company with the idea that excites you so much, you can't imagine not writing about it."
" ... passion is contagious, especially when sprinkled across the printed page."
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