What makes us human? The answer to that question has occupied philosophers and thinkers since the dawn of times. Blade Runner (1982) suggested a though-provoking answer: it's empathy that makes us human. Other respected candidates have been self-awareness, creativity, ethics... Mark Twain famously stated that "mankind is the only animal that blushes or needs to". Is the ability to blush what really sets us apart? He was obviously joking... So, who's right? Nobody knows, but it's nice to try and come up with an answer.
Stephen Fry, for whom I have always had a soft spot, has done precisely that. In the short video below he explains why it is language that makes us human. Funnily enough, he refers to people like me: those who correct speakers who say less when they should say fewer. I my defense I have repeatedly said that, even though I don't approve of such uses, I don't think writing less students is such a dreadful error. Anyway, one of the interesting things about this video lies in the fact that Stephen Fry mentions a couple of "native mistakes": confusion about similar words (infer and imply, uninterested and disinterested) agreement (none of them is or none of them are?) He is right when he vituperates the rude pedants that take pride in their alleged superiority (people who probably use fancy verbs such as vituperate). Nevertheless his point may be misunderstood. We should not condone any non-standard use of the language just because it's what thousands of speakers favor.
I'm afraid that Stephen Fry can afford to deride persnickety teachers and outraged newspaper readers because he himself has an impressive command of the English language and would never stoop to using an uneducated inaccurate register. Yes. Every language is a bastard set of conventions (in 2008 professor John McWhorter wrote a wonderful book entitled Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue), which means that Stephen Fry is absolutely right. It is the speakers (not dictionaries or institutions) that keep a language alive. It's their energy that makes art and unexpected change possible. Unfortunately, all too often, evolution is viewed by prissy pedants as a form of degeneration. That said, I think defending colloquial vibrant usage is not tantamount to promoting the use of vulgar expressions, confusing structures or downright incorrect sequences. A sentences like I should have went should not be tolerated. Anyway, we ought not to become ridiculous snobs either. After all mistakes are an essential part of the history of every language.
Take the case of English. The word alligator is just a corrupted version of el lagarto. The name of Key West, one of Ernest Hemingway's favorite towns in the world, is actually an English Interpretation of the Spanish place-name Cayo Hueso. So, technically, that toponym originated as an embarrassing mistake. That said, similar or identical process happen in every language. Correctness tends to be a secondary concern when it comes to language change. In Spanish we guilty of the same sin. Take the case of our word for crocodile. To the best of my knowledge, most languages in Europe that failed to import the term "correctly". It's CROCOdile in English, KROKOdil in German, CROCOdile in French, KROKOdil in Swedish... Ultimately the term derives from the Greek word KROKOdilos. So why did Spaniards and Italians went a different way? In Spanish we say COCOdrilo, like the Italians, who say COCCOdrilo. Centuries ago the Spanish word hoja used to be a plural (folia). It was depluralized. That's the very same process that several Italian words such as confetti, spaghetti or paparazzi have undergone after being borrowed by Spanish speakers. In English the pronoun you used to be only a plural form. Things change.
Take the case of English. The word alligator is just a corrupted version of el lagarto. The name of Key West, one of Ernest Hemingway's favorite towns in the world, is actually an English Interpretation of the Spanish place-name Cayo Hueso. So, technically, that toponym originated as an embarrassing mistake. That said, similar or identical process happen in every language. Correctness tends to be a secondary concern when it comes to language change. In Spanish we guilty of the same sin. Take the case of our word for crocodile. To the best of my knowledge, most languages in Europe that failed to import the term "correctly". It's CROCOdile in English, KROKOdil in German, CROCOdile in French, KROKOdil in Swedish... Ultimately the term derives from the Greek word KROKOdilos. So why did Spaniards and Italians went a different way? In Spanish we say COCOdrilo, like the Italians, who say COCCOdrilo. Centuries ago the Spanish word hoja used to be a plural (folia). It was depluralized. That's the very same process that several Italian words such as confetti, spaghetti or paparazzi have undergone after being borrowed by Spanish speakers. In English the pronoun you used to be only a plural form. Things change.
But I digress.
If only because it's a joy to hear his voice, listen to what Mr. Fry has to say. Then try and decide what your own answer might sound like.
If only because it's a joy to hear his voice, listen to what Mr. Fry has to say. Then try and decide what your own answer might sound like.
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