this post was submitted on 19 Jul 2024
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Science Memes

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 9 months ago (1 children)
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[–] [email protected] 10 points 9 months ago (1 children)

When you read texts of an ancient language than span several centuries, and the language itself stays the same, it's a strong indicator the language was no longer spoken.

Living languages always change. Only dead languages stay the same.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Yes. English is evolved by whatever's popular, ergo whatever the cool kids are doing. They're actually going to make 'fetch' happen because there's no one driving this crazy short bus; just a bunch of cheerleaders on the roof and influencers tasting the back windows.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 9 months ago (2 children)

While I get the point they’re making, I have a counterargument:

Ngqnund urnidng bptgx durunbde druxng.

What, you didn’t understand that? Are you dissing be just because you didn’t bother to learn new words?

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 9 months ago (5 children)

Great post. Fnrb wijjk blerb phtooie wagawaga nkkjqqz frup walawala madooie.

Edit: What do you mean you haven't got a clue what I'm talking about?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

People don't say "that's not a word" unless they understand. If they don't understand they say "What?". The point was that linguistics is the study of how language is used to communicate. "Cristofascist" is going to get added to a dictionary, but "nkkjqqz" isn't, even though they're both made up; one conveys meaning, the other doesn't.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (11 children)

This is how descriptivists try to cope with the fact that they're academics who claim that some random guy who has never seen a dictionary knows better than academics do.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I just like to point out that umami is a terrible word to import into English. Why? Because we already have a word for savory. It's savory. Worse, umami doesn't completely just mean savory. It also means meaty or deliciousness. In English, savory ≠ meaty, and deliciousness is subjective. The word just doesn't translate cleanly. So when anybody uses umami to describe savory food, all they're really doing is sounding like an imprecise, pretentious jackass.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Learned this a while ago, from an excellent YA writer:

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

A Elbereth Gilthoniel,

silivren penna míriel

o mendel aglar elenath!

Na-chaered palan-díriel

o galadhremmin ennorath,

Fanuilos, le linnathon

nef aear, sí nef aearon!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (2 children)

This text is a poem in Sindarin, one of the languages created by J.R.R. Tolkien for his Middle-earth legendarium. It is a hymn to Varda (Elbereth), a revered figure among the Elves. Here's a translation and analysis:

Translation:

A Elbereth Gilthoniel, (Oh Elbereth Star-kindler,)

silivren penna míriel (white-glittering, slanting down sparkling like jewels)

o menel aglar elenath! (from heaven the glory of the star-host!)

Na-chaered palan-díriel (To-remote distance far-having gazed)

o galadhremmin ennorath, (from tree-woven Middle-earth,)

Fanuilos, le linnathon (Fanuilos [Ever-white], to thee I will chant)

nef aear, sí nef aearon! (on this side of the ocean, here on this side of the Great Ocean!)

Analysis:

Elbereth Gilthoniel: Elbereth is another name for Varda, the Queen of the Stars, one of the Valar. Gilthoniel means "Star-kindler."

silivren penna míriel: Describes the shining and glittering quality of the stars.

o menel aglar elenath: Refers to the glory of the star-host (elenath) in the heavens (menel).

Na-chaered palan-díriel: Indicates gazing into the remote distance.

o galadhremmin ennorath: Mentions Middle-earth (Ennorath) being tree-woven.

Fanuilos, le linnathon: Pledges to sing to Fanuilos (another name for Elbereth) forever.

nef aear, sí nef aearon: A vow made on this side of the ocean (referring to the Great Ocean that separates Middle-earth from the Undying Lands).

The poem reflects the deep reverence and love the Elves have for Elbereth, highlighting her connection to the stars and the distant heavens.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago (2 children)

No, snuffles005, that doesn't mean "yzax" is a valid word for Scrabble.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago (1 children)

One thing I learned: fuck dictionaries. Be creative. Invent words if you need them. As long as it's understandable, that's all fine.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 9 months ago

While, at the same time, don't be mad at people that don't understand the word you used because they lack the context. Be educational, don't gatekeep.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Nucular. Checkmate, atheists.

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