Words of 2020! (and Metaphors, and Interfaces of the Year) - The a16z Show Recap

Podcast: The a16z Show

Published: 2020-12-24

Duration: 3088

Guests: Gretchen McCulloch

What Happened

Gretchen McCulloch, an internet linguist, explores the unprecedented linguistic changes of 2020. For the first time, the Oxford English Dictionary did not choose a single word of the year due to the vast number of new terms. Instead, McCulloch argues that language evolves through communal use, highlighting how society, not dictionaries, dictate word usage.

The year 2020 introduced terms like 'coronavirus', 'lockdown', and 'super spreader', driven by the global pandemic. The term 'Zoomer' emerged as a descriptor for Gen Z students attending classes on Zoom, reflecting a significant cultural shift. McCulloch points out that language adapts to context, with scientific jargon like 'fomite' and 'mRNA' becoming part of everyday vocabulary.

In addition to pandemic-related terms, social movements influenced language, with words like 'BIPOC' and 'cancel culture' gaining prominence. McCulloch discusses the impact of digital communication, where expressions such as 'doom scrolling' capture the zeitgeist of constant online engagement with negative news.

The concept of 'third places', originally described by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, resurfaces as people seek social interaction during lockdowns. McCulloch discusses how technology attempts to replicate these spaces digitally through platforms like spatial audio and proximity chat, emphasizing the difficulty of replacing serendipitous interactions found in physical environments.

Writing is viewed as a technology that evolves with tools, going beyond mere medium/message. McCulloch notes that ancient writing systems like cuneiform were influenced by the materials used, and the internet now democratizes language in a way akin to pre-printing press times. Language is seen as a participatory project, with memes and online culture contributing to its dynamic evolution.

The idea of language as a network, where 'loners' introduce words and 'leaders' spread them, is explored. McCulloch underscores the challenges of capturing a static snapshot of internet language due to its ever-changing nature. WordNick's approach, creating dictionary pages on demand, reflects this fluidity, emphasizing the ongoing construction of language.

Key Insights

• In 2020, the Oxford English Dictionary broke tradition by not selecting a single word of the year, highlighting the vast linguistic changes driven by the pandemic and social movements. Merriam-Webster and Dictionary.com, however, both chose 'pandemic'.
• Terms like 'Zoomer' emerged in 2020 to describe Gen Z students attending classes via Zoom, illustrating how technology reshapes cultural and generational identities. This reflects a significant shift in how education and social interactions are conducted.
• The concept of 'third places', physical spaces for social interaction, gained importance during lockdowns. Digital platforms like proximity chat attempt to replicate these interactions, though they struggle to match the spontaneity of in-person encounters.
• Language is seen as a participatory network, with memes contributing to its evolution. Online platforms democratize language, similar to pre-printing press times, allowing for decentralized control over language development and usage.