"Language is Active"

One concept from the reading that I found to be interesting was the fact that “language is active”. What this means is that language doesn’t stand still and is ever changing.  “Each year, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary adds about 100 words  to its current edition” (Coopman 191). All the time new words are being created or altered ways in which have the ability to manipulate, alter, or distort our interpretations of them. Different innovations and occurrences in life also have a profound impact on word activity. For instance, the internet has both created new words such as “blog”, “phishing”, and “webisode” as well as altering the meaning of others such as “spam”, “zombie”, and “cookie”. Also, powerful events can alter our interpretations of words and can give them either a positive or negative connotation. For example, after the terrorist attacks of September 9/11, the word “Jihad” (for many) became synonymous with terrorism, evil, and many other negative words. However, the denotative meanings of the word “Jihad” are “struggle” and “the determination to do right” or “to do justice even against your own interests”. So truthfully the word is a positive one; however, due to the actions of certain people the word has been corrupted and holds a negative connotation for many. I think it’s fascinating how language evolves over time. If you never give a moment to think about it you just sort-of assume words are words…they are what they are. When you really explore the subject you find so many layers behind every word or phrase. It's amazing how easily the connotations of words can be forever impacted by a group, an event, or even an individual. I mean think about it...how many people do you hear in role call with the name Adolf?? I'd venture to guess not too many...