Yes, our language has changed vastly over time and will continue to change everyday we continue to speak it. The English language is fluent, communities and culture influence the way each person speaks. The spoken word is the most important and most used form of communication. Different people and places alter language and the dialect certain groups use to speak to one another. A form of communication must change with the people and place it is spoken from it had to adapt to the society using it.
Words like, tight, struggle, and ballin have become a common word for young adults and teenagers, and even though these words have existed much longer than the last 5 years, they have taken on new meaning and are now being used in new contexts. Also words like shall and thou have died out from common use. Most likely you can still find them in formal texts and literature but you won’t here those old English words used in the hallways at high school.
I think for sure that generations not only separate people with age, but also with their vocabulary and the context, which they play with words. I wouldn’t say some words to my parents that I use frequently with my friends and the idea or meaning being assumed from my parents or grandparents would be misinterpreted. For example tight, in my head it means to be cool or sweet, but in my grandparents minds they think of close together or tight fitting. It only goes to show you how quickly and dramatically language evolves.
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I agree with you completely. In order for each generation to understand the generations before and after it we have to understand the language and vocabulary that they used. It is important to understand the variations in word meanings so that the generations can successfully communicate with one another. Language is our key source of communication and understanding the differences in words is a key factor when it comes to furthering our society.
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