Is that a word? 4 reasons why the English language is bigger than you think
Is YOLO a word? How about Oompa Loompa, 'Merica, or freemium?
In 2016, the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) welcomed an additional 1,200 words (including the useful terms above) to the ever-expanding and highly confusing English language. But how do you really decide what should be considered a word?
"Deciding what is a word is an emotionally charged issue," said statistician, University of British Columbia associate professor and puzzle enthusiast Jonathan Berkowitz.
"Language is the universal heritage of all mankind, and who is to say as what is a word, and what is not a word?"
Berkowitz joined host Sheryl MacKay on CBC's North by Northwest to share some fascinating facts about words — and how we come to define them.
1. The definition of 'word' is hazy
Each dictionary defines 'word' differently. Oxford calls it a "single distinct meaningful element of speech," while Merriam-Webster refers to it as a "speech sound" that communicates a meaning.
But computer scientists define it more broadly as a sequence of consecutive letters and some symbols that are separated on the right or on the left by spaces.
Berkowitz says the very definitions are problematic, especially in the digital age. By these accounts, anything from slang to numbers to texting shortcuts could be considered words — and are often adopted into dictionaries. So where to draw the line isn't clear.
2. There might be 3,000,000 English language words
"Most general dictionaries in English are designed to include only the words that meet certain criteria of usage, and lexicographers get to decide what makes it in, and what doesn't," he said.
The latest OED has over 200,000 words listed — but the organization's editors even note that many regional and technical vocabularies are omitted.
Berkowitz says the number could swell as high as two to three million words if "uncommon" words were added, including technical jargon.
Ironically, older dictionaries didn't even include common words, said Berkowitz.
"Everybody knew the word, so there was no need to put it in."
3. Average English speakers recognize 60,000 words
But even with whittled-down dictionaries, knowing 200,000 definitions is virtually impossible. In fact, Berkowitz says, most people only know a fraction of that.
Berkowitz says a moderately educated English speaker can recognize 60,000 common words.
"That doesn't mean they use them in speech or in writing, but they might have some vague familiarity with them."
In fact, most English speakers use far fewer in their daily speech and writing, ranging from 5,000 to 10,000, according to some estimates.
4. The boundaries are flexible
Berkowitz says it's important to note that language is ever-expanding, and the boundaries are always flexible.
Just look at words like tiramisu, teriyaki, or cannoli — they all came from other languages, but because they're used so frequently, they've all been welcomed into the English language.
Even fictional characters can make a lasting impression — in 2001, Homer Simpson's "D'oh!" became an official word in the OED.
With files from CBC's North by Northwest
To listen to the full interview, click on the audio labelled: Is that a word? Jonathan Berkowitz on why words are weird
