English is a mongrel language, more than willing to take in words from any language. And that is one of its strengths, IMO. Unlike in France no English speaking gov't has tried to legislate what words can be used in English.
Not just words with Franco-Latinate roots, but also words of Greek origins. And it's good to have such high brow words, because their use will allow for greater precision, accuracy, and nuance in formal writing writing and speaking.
7 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
English is a mongrel language, more than willing to take in words from any language. And that is one of its strengths, IMO. Unlike in France no English speaking gov't has tried to legislate what words can be used in English.
Ad astra! Sean
It is interesting to experiment with different word roots and coinages but I agree that there should be no legislation.
Kaor, Paul!
I do think Churchill made some useful suggestions in how to use English for making effective speeches.
Ad astra! Sean
Ah, yes, subtracting the Franco-Latinate part of English... which makes an enormous difference, even if you assume the same syntactical developments!
Note that English uses English roots for more 'earthy' and 'emotional' communication, and more Latinate ones for more 'formal' and 'elevated' diction.
Guts and intestines.
Gods, deities and divinities.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
Not just words with Franco-Latinate roots, but also words of Greek origins. And it's good to have such high brow words, because their use will allow for greater precision, accuracy, and nuance in formal writing writing and speaking.
Ad astra! Sean
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