Decoding Gen-Z slang and grammar pet peeves with linguist Anne Curzan
5Digest
Adam Grant interviews Anne Curzan, a linguist and English professor, about her new book, "Says Who? A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words." Curzan discusses her passion for language, which was instilled in her by her mother, a strict grammar enthusiast. She shares a humorous anecdote about her mother correcting her sister's wedding toast. Curzan explains how her interest in linguistics blossomed in college, sparked by a course on the history of the English language. She delves into the fascinating history of words like "colonel" and "island," revealing the quirks of English spelling and its evolution. Curzan also addresses the common misconception that "extrovert" is spelled with an "O" and discusses the phenomenon of "gremandos," people who constantly correct others' grammar. She emphasizes the importance of embracing language change and encourages readers to be "wordies," lovers of words, rather than overly critical gremandos. Curzan shares her pet peeve about the misuse of the word "humbled" and discusses the evolving meaning of words like "peruse" and "unique." She also touches on the ongoing debate about singular "they" and the impact of the internet on language evolution. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the future of language, including the potential demise of "whom" and the ongoing evolution of pronouns like "I" and "me." Grant and Curzan share their insights on how to ask good questions and the importance of embracing the diversity of language.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the podcast and its host, Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist. It also introduces the guest, Anne Curzan, a linguist and English professor at the University of Michigan, and her new book, "Says Who?".
Grammar Dispute with Adam's Mother
This Chapter recounts a humorous anecdote about a grammar dispute between Anne Curzan and Adam Grant's mother over the use of the phrase "even more strikingly." Curzan explains that both the adverbial and adjectival forms are grammatically correct, highlighting the evolving nature of language.
Anne's Early Experiences with Language
This Chapter explores Anne Curzan's early experiences with language, influenced by her mother's strict grammar rules. Curzan describes her mother's meticulous attention to detail, even correcting signs at the grocery store and editing her daughters' essays. She shares a memorable anecdote about her mother correcting her sister's wedding toast.
Discovering Linguistics in College
This Chapter recounts Anne Curzan's journey to becoming a linguist. She explains how a college course on the history of the English language, taught by Professor Marie Boroff, sparked her passion for the subject. Curzan discusses the fascinating history of words like "colonel" and "island," highlighting the influence of borrowing and etymology on English spelling.
Gremandos and Wordies
This Chapter introduces the concept of "gremandos," people who constantly correct others' grammar, and "wordies," lovers of words. Curzan argues that everyone has an inner gremando and a wordy, and that it's important to manage these internal voices. She discusses the importance of embracing language change and encourages readers to be more accepting of diverse word usage.
Lightning Round
This Chapter features a lightning round of questions and answers, covering topics such as the worst language advice Curzan has received, words she has rethought her opinion on, and her unpopular opinions on language. Curzan shares her insights on singular "they," slang words, and the future of language.
Keywords
Says Who?
"Says Who? A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words" is a book by Anne Curzan, a linguist and English professor at the University of Michigan. The book explores the evolution of language and encourages readers to embrace the diversity of word usage. It provides practical advice and entertaining insights on using language effectively and thoughtfully.
Gremando
A "gremando" is a person who constantly corrects others' grammar. The term was coined by Lizzie Skernick in a New York Times Sunday magazine column. Curzan argues that everyone has an inner gremando, and that it's important to manage this internal voice and not let it dictate our interactions with others.
Wordy
A "wordy" is a lover of words. Curzan encourages readers to embrace their inner wordy and to be more accepting of language change and diversity. She argues that being a wordy is about appreciating the beauty and complexity of language, rather than being overly critical of its evolution.
Language Change
Language change is a natural and ongoing process. Words evolve in meaning, pronunciation, and spelling over time. Curzan emphasizes the importance of embracing language change and understanding that there is no single "correct" way to use language. She argues that language change is a reflection of the evolving needs and experiences of its speakers.
Singular They
Singular "they" is a pronoun used to refer to a person whose gender is unknown or non-binary. It is a common and increasingly accepted usage in English. Curzan argues that singular "they" is a natural and logical extension of the language, and that it is not a grammatical error. She highlights the fact that singular "they" has been used for centuries and that it is a necessary tool for inclusive language.
Texting Rules
Texting has its own set of rules and conventions, which are often distinct from those of standard written English. Curzan discusses how texting has repurposed punctuation to convey tone and emotion, and how these conventions are often learned from peers rather than formal instruction. She argues that texting is a valid and evolving form of language, and that it should not be dismissed as simply "bad" grammar.
Whom
Whom is a pronoun used as the object of a verb or preposition. It is often considered formal and archaic, and its use is declining in modern English. Curzan predicts that whom will eventually disappear from the language, as it is increasingly replaced by who.
Humbled
Humbled is a verb that means to make someone feel less important or proud. Curzan argues that the common usage of "humbled" to express gratitude or humility is incorrect, as it does not reflect the true meaning of the word. She suggests that alternative phrases like "honored" or "grateful" are more accurate.
Peruse
Peruse is a verb that means to read something carefully and thoroughly. However, it is often used colloquially to mean to skim or scan something quickly. Curzan discusses the evolving meaning of peruse and how it has become a usage problem in modern English.
Unique
Unique is an adjective that means being the only one of its kind. However, it is often used colloquially to mean highly unusual or distinctive. Curzan discusses the evolving meaning of unique and how it has become a usage problem in modern English.
Q&A
What is the main argument of Anne Curzan's book, "Says Who?"
Curzan's book argues that there is no single "correct" way to use language, and that it's important to embrace the diversity of word usage. She encourages readers to be more accepting of language change and to understand that language is constantly evolving.
What is a "gremando" and why is it important to manage our inner gremando?
A "gremando" is a person who constantly corrects others' grammar. Curzan argues that everyone has an inner gremando, and that it's important to manage this internal voice and not let it dictate our interactions with others. She suggests that we should be more accepting of language change and diversity, and that we should not be overly critical of others' word usage.
What is the difference between a "gremando" and a "wordy"?
A "gremando" is a person who constantly corrects others' grammar, while a "wordy" is a lover of words. Curzan encourages readers to embrace their inner wordy and to be more accepting of language change and diversity. She argues that being a wordy is about appreciating the beauty and complexity of language, rather than being overly critical of its evolution.
What is Curzan's opinion on singular "they"?
Curzan believes that singular "they" is a natural and logical extension of the language, and that it is not a grammatical error. She highlights the fact that singular "they" has been used for centuries and that it is a necessary tool for inclusive language.
What is Curzan's prediction for the future of language?
Curzan predicts that whom will eventually disappear from the language, as it is increasingly replaced by who. She also discusses the impact of the internet on language evolution, noting that it is creating a lot of language contact and that it is difficult to predict how languages will change as a result.
What is Curzan's pet peeve about the word "humbled"?
Curzan believes that the common usage of "humbled" to express gratitude or humility is incorrect, as it does not reflect the true meaning of the word. She suggests that alternative phrases like "honored" or "grateful" are more accurate.
How does Curzan suggest we manage our inner gremando?
Curzan suggests that we should be more accepting of language change and diversity, and that we should not be overly critical of others' word usage. She encourages readers to be more "wordy" and to appreciate the beauty and complexity of language.
What is Curzan's opinion on the evolving meaning of words like "peruse" and "unique"?
Curzan acknowledges that the meaning of words can evolve over time, and that this is a natural part of language change. She discusses the evolving meaning of words like "peruse" and "unique" and how these changes can sometimes lead to usage problems.
What is Curzan's opinion on the ongoing debate about singular "they"?
Curzan believes that singular "they" is a natural and logical extension of the language, and that it is not a grammatical error. She highlights the fact that singular "they" has been used for centuries and that it is a necessary tool for inclusive language.
What is Curzan's prediction for the future of language?
Curzan predicts that whom will eventually disappear from the language, as it is increasingly replaced by who. She also discusses the impact of the internet on language evolution, noting that it is creating a lot of language contact and that it is difficult to predict how languages will change as a result.
Show Notes
Anne Curzan is a professional word nerd. As a linguist and English professor, Anne studies the history of the English language — and how public attitudes about words shift over time. Adam and Anne geek out over whether the grammar rules you learned in school are justified, why some language peeves are (or aren't) worth holding onto, and confess what they're learning from Gen-Z slang. Anne's latest book, Says Who? A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide For Everyone Who Cares About Words, is out now.
Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
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