Posted by Mike Dennis on March 28, 2002 at 13:52:56 from 195.92.168.173:
In Reply to: Re: Forbidden Words posted by Mike Stevens on March 27, 2002 at 21:26:10:
Though I agree we should be reading and enjoying the books all these questions arise and sometimes get in the way!
As for language changing - Orwell had his point of course as he was talking about manipulating the language by those in control to have an effect. If you take the current government in the UK terms such as 'new money', 'one stop shop', 'fast track' are all good examples (I'm not making a political point here - all political parties are guilty of it).
Language does not stand still, it changes by usage. With English it also changes depending on which country your are in - was it Shaw or Wilde who said about the UK and the USA as two countries divied by a common language. Word meanings change over time and the majority go along with that meaning, some don't - an aunt of mine still uses queer in its older sense (ie unusual) and we all know what she means but would use the word in the other sense amongst ourselves.
So ... sometimes you stop using words because it gives offence, but someitmes meaning just changes and we all go along with it.
Now .. can I get back to my reading?!