30 replies to this topic

[harrison858]

In my opinion, I think that you couldn't tell which words are extinct, you can just tell which words are rarely used. If you know a word that has become extinct, then chances are, the word is not extinct.

Just like someone said, a word cannot become extinct until all records and memories of it have been lost. So chances are that there are plenty of extinct words out there that we wouldn't know about.

[outburst]

I don't really see why a word couldn't become extinct. But, if you don't know about the word, you'll never know that it's actually extinct. And, if you remember it, then it isn't extinct. It's sort of confusing, I guess, but I think words have probably just disappeared before.

In this day and age, though, of transfer and storing information, I think it could be quite difficult just to "lose" a word and let it become extinct. You'd have to actively try to get rid of a word, I would guess. That would be hard to do, though. We have the internet - we have dictionaries - we have the merging of the two in online dictionaries.

[iGuest]

The way I see it is this, The definition of extinct is "No longer in use" as well as "No longer existing or living"which in turn means that the word is no longer said. So no I do not believe your arguments on how a word could possibly become extinct for the soul fact that there are over 5 billion people in the world and 5 million or more living right here in the United States. Yes everyday our language evolves and people make new words. But still that does not mean that the older words will simply be ripped from our dictionaries it is just simply stating that the dictionary will continue to grow as new words are created. So therefor if the word is not wiped clean from our dictionary then it still exists because it is 1: Still in use for the sole fact that Websters and other co. Reprint and produce a new dictionary every what 10 years I think it is, so if there rewriting the dictionary that means they rewrite the words which still puts it in use because there writing it and 2: If it is strictly printed in the Dictionary then it is still existing and it is still a living word. So therefor no it is impossible for a word to simply go extinct, weather we say the word or hear the word ever again. Any comments as to my statement? 

[missalex]

I think rarely used words will become extinct because they are not used anymore and they will be forgotten. Also, I agree, there are new words they even replace old words. My friends actually tried making up their own word, which then became extinct since people didn't use it anymore, but it was pretty awsome while it did exist.

[Bikerman]

missalex, on 06 August 2010 - 04:00 PM, said:

I think rarely used words will become extinct because they are not used anymore and they will be forgotten. Also, I agree, there are new words they even replace old words. My friends actually tried making up their own word, which then became extinct since people didn't use it anymore, but it was pretty awsome while it did exist.

I think there is an evitable abrogation of abstruse lexiphany, which is egregious and may engender epistemological indolence in multitudinous idiolects and endemic inexactitude in allusive efficacy.

[Harlot]

I don't think the name "John" would go extinct simply because it is banned. What about those studying genealogy, who may run into thousands of "Johns" who are dead and gone. Will they just simply ban those people from being mentioned? Maybe your great great grandfather, which your family takes pride in, name is John. You can't ban a name, as names are not dictated by the government. For example, what about nick names? I know many people who are nicknamed "John". Do you think they will give up their nickname simply because there is a ban or law against using it. What will be the punishment for disobeying the law? Will you be fined for saying "John" or put to death? Even though I understand you were speaking hypothetical, I don't even see how the hypothetical you presented makes a point in regards to a name going extinct.

As for your question on would I change my name to "John"...I sure would consider it if I could go back to when I was first born in change it. I have no problem with my own name, but I have a difficult time announcing it sometimes. People think that I am saying a completely different name. My name is simply, but I don't know why I don't articulate it like it is suppose to be articulated unless I really pay attention every time I say my name. I really wouldn't like being called anything else based on the fact that I have been called my name for almost two decades, but if I could go back to childhood, I would consider it.