Quote:
Originally Posted by bhartman36
The world is certainly different than it was in Charles Dickens's day, but I think that only justifies so much. Sure, the vocabulary changes, social norms change, and absolutely it would have an effect on science fiction. But word choice still matters (even if the words are different) and things like sentence structure, grammar, etc., still matters. To cite one example that drives me nuts in modern language: the abuse of the word "literally". e.g.,
"He was literally burning with rage."
Um, no, he wasn't -- unless his rage somehow caused him to spontaneously combust. For some reason (and I admit this is something I probably need to get over) it annoys me when people use the word "decimated" to mean "destroyed". To "decimate" means to kill 1 out of every 10.
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You need to be careful with this sort of thing though:
- Some of the criticisms listed on this thread can also apply to some classic fiction. Errors happen even with the best of writers. In dictionary.com I found this article about Jane Austen's writing that may be of interest to those following this thread and/or are interested in the importance of editors.
- Sometimes the misuse of words like "literally" are specifically included in dialogue because real people do (mis)use it. Pratchett highlights such misuse in one of the Tiffany Aching novels, Tiffany takes a keen interest in words and their meaning.
- The meaning of some words and phrases does indeed change over time. For this reason some people like to have annotated versions of some historical works (something I think I should have considered when I read Moby Dick recently, I would have really liked someone to tell me - in plain, modern English - what some of his digressions really meant).
Decimate is a word that has changed, and is still changing, in its accepted meaning, see
dictionary.com. Of course the main point that you make is still correct, an author's choice of words is important, but it is sometimes relevant to check that your own understanding is not outdated.