All about words
It has now occured to me how we are all dependent on words. Infact so dependent on words are we that both the truth and lies are expressed in these sounds. Words define movements either at personal or corporate level.
I recall how the motto 'the sky is the limit' would fire me up to grab the world and conqour it. Before long I had managed to scribble every available space in my book, plaster the walls in my bedroom with this driving force in my life..'the sky is the limit'. Whether I have hit the heights I purposed to reach should be matter for another discussion.
The German Language Society from as far back as 1972 have been voting for words of the year. These are normally words that carry a theme that was either prevalent through out the year, or at the very symbolize an event that had resonances for the rest of the year. For example their word of the year for 2006 had dto do with the World Cup which they hosted in that year while 1999 had one to do with the millenium.
In the final analysis these words represent landmarks whether tangible or none, pervading themes or moods and most importantly reflect and reveal a people's asprirations, fears and hopes. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Greece voted for 'austerity' as their word of the yeafor 2011r , or the US went for 'Stimulus package' (which I beleive would have a hard time competing agains 'Bin laden). These represent milestones whether positive or not and will definitely be referred to by future generations.
Word art
Unfortunately our languange society in Zambia (although am not aware of any formally registered society) does not carry out a poll to determine words of the year. I am sure we could have seen some pretty interesting words that over the years have defined us. Here are a few that I believe would be leading contenders and the reasons. Feel free to add your own.
Words, what would we be without them? Well what are we with them?
I recall how the motto 'the sky is the limit' would fire me up to grab the world and conqour it. Before long I had managed to scribble every available space in my book, plaster the walls in my bedroom with this driving force in my life..'the sky is the limit'. Whether I have hit the heights I purposed to reach should be matter for another discussion.
The German Language Society from as far back as 1972 have been voting for words of the year. These are normally words that carry a theme that was either prevalent through out the year, or at the very symbolize an event that had resonances for the rest of the year. For example their word of the year for 2006 had dto do with the World Cup which they hosted in that year while 1999 had one to do with the millenium.
In the final analysis these words represent landmarks whether tangible or none, pervading themes or moods and most importantly reflect and reveal a people's asprirations, fears and hopes. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Greece voted for 'austerity' as their word of the yeafor 2011r , or the US went for 'Stimulus package' (which I beleive would have a hard time competing agains 'Bin laden). These represent milestones whether positive or not and will definitely be referred to by future generations.
Word art
Unfortunately our languange society in Zambia (although am not aware of any formally registered society) does not carry out a poll to determine words of the year. I am sure we could have seen some pretty interesting words that over the years have defined us. Here are a few that I believe would be leading contenders and the reasons. Feel free to add your own.
- Zero-tolerance- This phrase defined much of the late President Levy Mwanawasa's rule and became the emblem of his fight agianst corruption and in general the perceived government's stance against the vice. It was freely quoted in public discussions, newspapers and in key policy pronouncements. Whether it made a difference ... the jury is still out
- Tripartite- This word was in reference to general elections at three levels i.e local governement, parliamentary and presidential. It would seem it was most used in 2001.It captured the public's imagination, owing largely to euphoria surrounding an election year and its fancy sound. It was not uncommon to find people quoting it long after the elections had passed with the word actually finding its way into vernacular. In vernacular it vaguely carried the meaning of things being tough or unpleasant. In conversation: How are things man?, Yah things are tripartite.
- Immdediate Effect-This phrase has only recently become really famous in our country as the policies of the new government take shape (yeah with immediate effect!). Although if am to be honest, the political landscape has seen the inroduction of a number of words such as 'ninety days', 'commission of enquiry' etc which would all give 'immediate effect' a good run. The reason I have picked this particular phrase is the comical and dramatic effect the scene of pronouncement by Michael Sata usually has.
Words, what would we be without them? Well what are we with them?
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