Contest Quote by Erin McKean
“All language is a popularity contest.”
About This Quote
Source Talk: Language Evolution, 2015
Language popularity is driven by social competition, not inherent merit.
In simple terms: Language success is a popularity contest.
Key Takeaway
Recognize social influences on communication.
Themes
language
society
competition
Mood
observational
critical
Type
linguistic
social
When to use this quote
- marketing
- branding
- public discourse
- education
Key Concepts
sociolinguistics
media studies
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a language popular?
- How does popularity affect meaning?
A Different Perspective
Quality may be overlooked in favor of trend.
