BBC radio - Top 20 words in English

Michael Rosen and Dr Laura Wright guide us through the top 20 words in English. Not the best or most popular (that would include tentacular, ping-pong and sesquipedalian (look it up - it's a cracker). Plus a lot of swearing. No this is the 20 most commonly used. It's actually quite a boring list - full of 'And', 'I', 'of' etc - but look a little closer and it tells you all about the structure of language. The little words you really can't do without that glue all the other ones together.

List of 20 most common words

Top 5

• The
• Be
• To
• Of
• And

(Mostly grammatical words, intrenched in brain and process them faster so don't realise they're being said]

Top 10

• The
• Be
• To
• Off
• And
• A
• In 
• That
• Have
• I

Anglo-saxans(old english) words despite 2 thirds of our language is not old english but from where we were ruled by anglo-normans (french speaking. The language we use everyday is historically english. No 'she'?

A study was carried out to show the difference between the characteristic of male and female speech, with men we get noun and numbers - stuck in facts whereas women use language talking about other folk using 'she'. 

Grammatical words- Connectives and Pronouns are used to keep company to other words

Content words- Have meaning and are able to define them easily.

Top 20

• The
•  Be
•  To
•  Of
•  And
•  A
•  In
•  That
•  Have
•  I
•  It
•  For
•  Not
•  On
•  With
•  He
•  As
•  You
•  Do
•  At

Dominated by grammatical words, the most frequent noun used is time which is due to people basing their live around structuring their life. 

Can we see the influence of other languages creeping in? Number 61 of most common .- 'people' - most romance word, possibly intermingled with northeners. 

List of old english words - 1000 years ago, essentially the same words apart from a couple which alternate but the similarities are striking. 

 

This kind of list comes from a branch of lingustics called Corpus Linguistics. It looks at the frequency and distribution of words in large bodies of text or speech. You can apply it to anything - political debates, lonely hearts columns or pop songs.

Word frequency of later albums- Rolling stone

1960s'-70's

• easy 
• strong 
• mercy
• all right
• cry 

How media have created assocaition between words creating social attitudes. Linguistics before the age of technology, as technology has changed language massively. 

Word of Mouth - Slang

What is slang, where does it come from, and which subjects attract the most slang words? Michael Rosen and Dr Laura Wright thrash it out with lexicographer of slang and swearing Jonathon Green. Producer Beth O'Dea
Jonathon Green is the author of Slang: A Very Short Introduction.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06wd268#play

• Slang is counter language from the counter culture from the 60's. Changing/reversing the standard English lexis , alternative uses of 'proper language'.
• Slang was associated with 'bad people', rooting from 40-50 years ago.
• Has now changed to inventive and creative and became more acceptable within in modern day society.
• Slang is reusing of standard English
• Described as 'gutter language' and 'jargon'
• Different school stages e.g Primary, Secondary and Universities hold different 'types' of slang- down to different generations? 
• Being fluent in swearing - shows healthy verbal ability?
• Colorful slang isn't a indication of articulacy.
• Slang is a a way of certain groups of people talking about certain items in certain contexts. 

Statistics of slang being used;

• Criminals - 5000 slang words
• Under influence of alcohol- 4500 slang words
• Drugs - 4000 slang words 
• Money rich/poor- 3300 slang words
• Women- 3000 slang words 
• Men- 2100 slang words

Represents us as humans possibly not as the most compassionate or caring but slang is linguistic safety valve. 

http://englishlangsfx.blogspot.co.uk/

Could the dominance of English harm global scholarship?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35282235

Eight words that reveal the sexism at the heart of English Language

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/27/eight-words-sexism-heart-english-language




States how certain terms which have negative connotations are continuously referenced to women, conveying a sexist society. The sexist terms are described as 'pejoration' meaning that these words used about women will only get worse, eight words have been chosen which are used mostly regarding women.




Mistress- Before the 17th century it had a meaning of 'a women having control or authority' however this has changed to a 'woman other than his wife with whom a man has a long-lasting sexual relationship'.


Hussy- Once a neutral term for head of a household, now used with only one meaning ' disreputable woman of improper behaviour'.


Madam- Female equivalent to 'sir' of a high ranking which is used to this day for a mode of address. However from the 18th century its meaning altered to 'a conceited or precocious girl or young woman; a hussy, a minx', which belittles the female.
Governess- Originally in the 15th century it defined to 'a woman who holds or exercises authority over a place, institution, or group of people, the meaning then dropped its status to 'a woman responsible for the care, supervision, or direction of a person, typically a child or young lady' which associates women with the 'housewife' role.
Spinster- This occupational term began by referring to both genders who spun yarn or thread. This changed as it became a way for unmarried women to make money. The term then changed within the 18th century 'a woman still unmarried; esp. one beyond the usual age for marriage, an old maid'
Courtesan- This term had a dramatic change in meaning from 'courtier'- attends the court of a Monarch, to a form of a prostitute which remains its only meaning.
Wench- A 13th century meaning of infant or young unmarried women which quickly changed in the 14th century to 'wanton women; mistress'.
Tart- It began with a meaning of 'sweetheart' a term of endearment, however in the 1800's it changed to 'a female with immoral character; prostitute' .







If we were to consider the male equivalent of these terms they would hold meanings of power and a higher status e.g. Governess- Governor. The eight words demonstrate how social conditions can alter the meaning of terms. Will terms placing females in a positive light face the same alteration to their meanings as Governess, Tart, Courtesan or Mistress; only time will tell.