Like, Literally, Dude

December 19, 2022
Fridland, a professor of linguistics at the University of Nevada, Reno, debuts with a smart and detailed apologia for speech habits that “violate our sense of linguistic decorum.” Documenting the etymological history of literally, like, um, and other quirks of speech, Fridland argues that they often serve to make people seem more approachable and considerate, and reveals that, rather than “arising from ignorance, laziness, or the sad decay of our grammatical principles,” many of these speech habits developed centuries ago. For example, the word like appears in its current “discourse-marking” function as far back as 18th-century British court transcripts, and the “hesitating marker” um first appeared in the 17th-century play The Mistake. According to Fridland, these and other speech habits often reveal something crucial about the identity of the speakers. For instance, working-class men are likely to employ the verb ending -in (as in sittin’) because its informal nature suggests an in-group solidarity, while women, who Fridland shows have always been at the forefront of linguistic evolution, are likely to lower their pitch to appear powerful and gain social influence. Scholarly yet accessible, and often very witty, this is a winning look at how language evolves. Agent: Becky Sweren, Aevitas Creative Management.

February 15, 2023
A specialist in sociolinguistics conducts a lively study of how and why our language is changing. According to Fridland, a professor of linguistics and a frequent commentator on language issues, the maxim that rules are made to be broken is made clear by the evolution of language, especially the variety of English spoken in the U.S. Her aim is not to condemn the most recent wave of modifications but to praise the energy and innovative spirit involved. In fact, trying to stamp out linguistic innovations seldom works--and often makes them more popular. "Language change is natural, built into the language system itself, and not just a way for teenagers to torture their parents," writes the author. As she examines the social meanings of language, she notes that most changes originate from young people, women, and lower-income groups to build solidarity and combat established authority. To illustrate, she dives into the evolution of the terms noted in the book's title. As something called a discourse marker, like has been around for a surprisingly long time, although its ubiquity is recent. Another bugbear of older generations--the use of literally as an intensifying adjective--also has a complex history. It appears that many of the people who use it in this way may not know the actual meaning of the word, and they use it to mean very. Its new role demonstrates how linguistic fashions catch on, with social media spreading it beyond the originating group. Likewise, dude is no longer used exclusively by young men and has developed a myriad of meanings flowing from nuance and context. Fridland has great fun with her subject, following the various lines of argument and delving into the subterranean roots of changes. The growing use of the singular they, for example, relates to attempts to de-gender traditional language forms. In short, the book is an interesting, entertaining read. With authority and wit, Fridland explains the evolution of language and embraces the dynamism it shows.

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March 1, 2023

Psychology Today blogger Fridland's (linguistics, Univ. of Nevada, Reno) book shines a light on the fascinating intersection of language forms and social needs. It illustrates how change has been a constant feature of the English language since its inception, and it shows the positive benefits of linguistic evolution over time. The book examines contemporary speech patterns fulfilling social needs. These include words to succinctly express approximation or quotation, such as "like"; to indicate newly heightened emphasis, as in "literally"; and to convey self-identified solidarity with a specific social group, as in "dude." The desirability of such changes in language comes from the richness these new forms bring to English, despite the initial discomfort they cause to some. The author points out that even the most diehard grammar maven today is no longer speaking or writing in the language of Beowulf. With copious historical examples, the book explains that linguistic changes are often decried when new, but over time outrage gets muted, general usage absorbs the evolutions, which then become part of standard English. Fridland issues an open invitation to more deeply understand and celebrate the English language. VERDICT Highly recommended for collections supporting communications and sociolinguistics.--Karen Bordonaro

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