Geoff Pullum has just
pointed out that "the general reading public loves the idea that your lexicon measures your life." In other words, he means that they think a language without a particular word for x (
hand for example as distinct from
arm) is somehow impoverished. As I read this, it struck me that English, mean and ineffectual language that it is, actually has no word for this idea. So, as my humble way to enrich the language I offer the following:
- alexemic: The state of lacking a word for a particular notion.
- lexemic: The state of having a word for a particular notion.
- lexemifilia: The fetish belief that a single word ought to exist for any given concept
Examples:
- English, though lexemic with respect to hand is alexemic with respect to warm water where Japanese is exactly the opposite.
- A: Did you see the article in today's paper saying language X had no word for snow?
B: Yeah, another journalist suffering from lexemifilia.
If you don't like those words, I have alternatives that are a little less grandiose.
- gouth
- perd
- dern
(no real motivation for these particular words, I just liked the sound of them)
We're trying to enrich the English language too!! At www.videodictionary.tv we're trying to bring words to life for people through the use of video. Check us out!
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