The English language is anything but stagnant, thanks to dedicated platforms such as Dictionary.com. They’re on a mission not just to stay relevant but to celebrate the rich diversity of our world. Their work ensures that dictionaries aren’t mere artifacts of the past, but dynamic platforms that reflect our ever-changing times. Now more than ever, our language is being enriched with a spectrum of experiences as it welcomes a host of new words, phrases, and meanings.
Times Are Changing, So Is Our Dictionary
In an astonishing move, Dictionary.com has ushered in 566 fascinating new words! This includes essential expressions such as “polysexual,” “autosexual,” “amalgagender,” “multisexual,” and “gay marry,” all vital in the ongoing conversation around human sexuality and gender identity. But that’s not all – alongside introducing these new terms, they’ve also revisited a whopping 2,000+ existing words, breathing new life into them.
Language Isn’t Just About Words, It’s About Lives
These groundbreaking linguistic additions span a wide range of contemporary topics – relationships, pop culture, and artificial intelligence, but most notably, they speak of gender and identity within the LGBTQ+ community.
Why Does This Even Matter?
Why all the fuss? Here’s what John Kelly, Vice President of editorial at Dictionary.com, had to say in a candid interview with NBC News: “The discussion around gender and identity has been extremely potent for the last 15 years or more. Whether from a social or medical perspective, there’s a whole new vocabulary unfolding, that we all need to be familiarizing ourselves with.”
New Words, Let’s Break Them Down
Wondering what these words actually mean? Here’s a quick rundown:
- Polysexual: A term denoting individuals attracted to multiple, but not necessarily all, genders.
- Autosexual: Refers to those who primarily experience sexual attraction towards themselves.
- Amalgagender: A term that represents individuals whose gender identity is influenced by their intersex condition.
- Multisexual: A word for someone attracted to more than one gender, functioning as an inclusive umbrella term for sexual orientations such as bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, and others.
- Gay marry: As simple as it sounds – to marry a person of the same sex.
Diversity and Inclusion, More Than Just Buzzwords
Recognition of diverse sexual orientations and identities isn’t a recent trend for this platform. Just last year, additions like “demisexual,” “neopronoun,” and “aromantic” made their debut on the dictionary stage. Remarkably, a gay man recently shattered anti-LGBTQ rhetorics with a simple yet powerful question: “What is the problem with students and children being exposed to the fact that people like me exist?”.
When Facing Backlash, Stand Up Straight
In a world where anti-LGBTQ+ laws act under the guise of “normality,” and pronominal diversity is often met with resistance, Dictionary.com’s move is nothing short of courageous. Yet, as John Kelly asserts, this expansion of lexicon isn’t about pushing an agenda, but about faithfully documenting the emerging vocabulary and culture. As per him, “Language is indeed a lightning rod, but therein lies its power and purpose.”
A Language for All
The quest for inclusivity goes beyond just adding new words. There is a marked emphasis on modifying existing definitions, replacing gendered pronouns with “they/them” or eliminating them entirely. It’s about ensuring that language assists in breaking down stereotypes and stigma, and is a tool which everyone can use to fully express their identity.
A Word Can Change the World
The perfect demonstration of this linguistic progressivity? The word “volunteer”. No longer defined as “A person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking,” it now states “A person who offers to perform a service or undertaking.”
“Nobodys out here saying, ‘Hey, I need some volunteers, some folks to give up their valuable time,’” said Kelly. “That wording feels clunky, exclusionary, and way overdue for change,” he concluded.
Expanding Horizons, One Word at a Time
Dictionary.com is dedicated not just to inclusivity and acceptance but to authentically documenting transformative linguistic and cultural shifts.
Language is much more than mere combinations of letters and sounds. It’s a powerful tool – the foundation of communication, medium of expressing emotions, a mirror that reflects the sociological fabric of our time. The cultural changes and the societal shift in attitudes towards diversity and acceptance are mirrored in the evolving dictionary. By doing so, we are acknowledging the existence and struggles of communities and individuals who are all too often marginalized and invalidated. Modern linguistics is no longer just about updating grammar or adding jargon, it’s about validating identities and celebrating change.
“This Is Why Nobody Takes Christianity Seriously”: Pastor Enters Cage of Lions to Prove God Is Protecting Him
Plenty of religious leaders claim to have some form of “divine protection” but not many of them are brave enough to attempt to prove it. One pastor, though, did possess that courage – or stupidity – and he locked himself in a cage of lions to make his point.
“Christianity in America Is Just a Money Making Scheme”: Pope Slams American Catholics for Turning Faith into a Cash Cow and Ideological Circus
Pope Francis has criticized certain conservative factions within the US Catholic Church, stating that they’ve replaced genuine faith with rigid ideology. He emphasized that a proper interpretation of Roman Catholic doctrine permits adaptation and change as time goes on.
“Jesus Was a Socialist”: Christianity in Crisis as Conservatives Finally Realize Jesus Was Woke
Russell Moore, once a prominent figure within the Southern Baptist Convention, has expressed profound concerns regarding the current trajectory of Christianity within the United States.
“Jesus Was a Socialist”: Christianity in Crisis as Conservatives Finally Realize Jesus Was Woke
Empty Pews, Changing Views: 18 Reasons Why Modern Congregations Are Thinning Out
Sit tight, friends! Have you noticed that your usual church-going squad is thinning out? Even the little old ladies with their prayer books seem to have made themselves scarce. But what’s causing this great church exodus? Let’s pull back the curtain and examine why some people are swapping the sermon for a Sunday sleep-in with our intriguing list of 18 reasons.
Empty Pews, Changing Views: 18 Reasons Why Modern Congregations Are Thinning Out
21 Things Forbidden by the Bible (But You Might Already Be Doing Them!)
As we navigate the present day, it’s fascinating to discover age-old Biblical rules that might feel out of place today. From clean-shaven debates to the great pork dilemma, let’s dive into these intriguing prohibitions. Hold onto your hats because some of these are real eyebrow-raisers!
21 Things Forbidden by the Bible (But You Might Already Be Doing Them!)