How come there are words that can mean the exact same thing? And how about words that are pronounced the same, but have different meanings? A good example would be affect/effect, or to/too - both are commonly misused in writing. Did we need variety, or are people just trying to confuse us?
Why is the use of emotion and emphasis so important in conversation? Considering if I was to electronically (via e-mail or text) send my friend "I loved your dress today." she may be confused as to if I am being sarcastic or serious. Has sarcasm become its own aspect of language?
My question about language... Hmm... I think my question would have to be, "What makes a word beautiful?" Many poets say that Cellar-door is one of the most beautiful words, and when I detach the mental picture of a 'rotted, wooden, two-planks over a slanted opening' door... I can see that it is a beautiful word, but why? What makes a word sound good... are there specific sound, or sounds that make a word beautiful to the human ear?
How come there are words that can mean the exact same thing? And how about words that are pronounced the same, but have different meanings? A good example would be affect/effect, or to/too - both are commonly misused in writing. Did we need variety, or are people just trying to confuse us?
ReplyDeleteWhy is the use of emotion and emphasis so important in conversation? Considering if I was to electronically (via e-mail or text) send my friend "I loved your dress today." she may be confused as to if I am being sarcastic or serious. Has sarcasm become its own aspect of language?
ReplyDeleteWho decided what things were called. Why is a book a book? Who decided that something had a certain name and not something different.
ReplyDeleteHow come some names are more famous than others? For example, why is John a much more known name than Vincent.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it more common to run into an exception to the 'I before E except after C' rule than it is to find a proper example?
ReplyDeleteAnswer me THAT will you????
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Since the Q cannot be used without a U in the English language, was it's origins different in comparison to the rest of the alphabet?
ReplyDeleteMy question about language... Hmm...
ReplyDeleteI think my question would have to be, "What makes a word beautiful?"
Many poets say that Cellar-door is one of the most beautiful words, and when I detach the mental picture of a 'rotted, wooden, two-planks over a slanted opening' door... I can see that it is a beautiful word, but why?
What makes a word sound good... are there specific sound, or sounds that make a word beautiful to the human ear?