This news is literally the end of the true English language.
Dictionaries have changed the definition of ‘literally’ so that it is no longer literal. Traditionally, the definition of ‘literally’ stood as “exactly or factually.” However, due to the prevailing misuse of the word, the original definition has been slaughtered.
Google was the first to conform the English language to fit the mold of societal misuse, changing the definition of ‘literally’ to include the following: "Used to acknowledge that something is not literally true but is used for emphasis or to express strong feeling." The Merriam-Webster and Cambridge dictionaries have both followed suit, altering their definitions of ‘literally’ to make the improper use of the word, proper.
‘Literally’ is just one of the many English expressions that have been butchered by the overuse, misuse, and waste of seemingly ignorant English speakers. Yet, due to the prevalence of this trend, nearly anyone can find himself falling culprit to the misuse of ‘literally’.
It truly is a shame that the world really does revolve around the ignorance of society - instead of actually encouraging the learning and practicing the proper use of the term, dictionaries model definitions around society’s misuse. As a Journalism major, I for one am particularly concerned with the precedent set by this supposedly subtle yet alarmingly influential change.
In this day and age, the English language is evolving faster than the click of a mouse. Slang-type phrases such as “hashtag” and “tweet” now have different dictionary definitions, but is this evolution of a classic language a positive or negative result of our ever changing trends in linguistics?
Words and phrases such as “like”, “actually”, “literally” are ingrained into our minds as linguistically correct, but, truly, the majority of these words are either unnecessary, overused, misused, or a combination of them all.
Some people are unfazed by the fact that the definition was altered. I don't care. It's not a big deal, they say flatly. While others take personal offense to the changing of the definition of “literally,” others don’t seem to care at all.
In my humble opinion, I find it ridiculous. People should learn how to conform to grammar standards instead of grammar conforming to people. Mainstream use -or misuse- of the English language is, in a sense, dumbing us down, conforming the language to appease those who literally- I mean, figuratively- couldn’t care less about proper use of the English language.
