The Ephemeral Nature of Language: Authors’ Strategies for Reclaiming Lost Words

By Carolyn Howard-Johnson, Author of the HowToDoItFrugally Series

Language, a vibrant and ever-evolving tapestry, is prone to the natural ebb and flow of usage. Words, once common currency, can fade into obscurity, relegated to the dusty archives of dictionaries or entirely disappearing from contemporary discourse. This linguistic phenomenon, while a testament to the dynamism of human communication, presents unique challenges for authors who rely on the precise and evocative power of words to craft their narratives. This article explores the reasons behind word obsolescence and delves into the ingenious strategies employed by writers to bridge the gaps left by forgotten vocabulary, ensuring their characters and stories resonate authentically across time and context.

The Lifecycle of a Word: Why Language Evolves

The English language, a vast and accommodating entity, boasts an extraordinary lexicon. This abundance stems from humanity’s inherent drive for clear and effective communication. We readily embrace words from other languages, a practice that enriches our vernacular, and we invent new terms when existing ones fall short or when the sheer joy of creativity strikes. However, this dynamic also leads to attrition.

Reasons for Word Disappearance:

• Shifting Societal Needs: As societies evolve, so do their needs and priorities. Words that once served a specific purpose may become obsolete as the concepts they represent fade from common experience. For instance, terms related to bygone technologies or social structures might cease to be relevant.
• Misuse and Dislike: Consistent misuse of a word can lead to its degradation and eventual disfavor. When a word is frequently employed incorrectly or in a manner that evokes negative associations, speakers and writers may consciously or unconsciously abandon it.
• Forgetting and Cognitive Decline: At a fundamental level, words are stored and accessed by the human mind. As individuals age, or in instances of cognitive impairment, the recall of words can become a challenge, contributing to their reduced usage.
• Lexicographical Culling: The custodians of our dictionaries, lexicographers, periodically review word usage. Words that are no longer actively employed by a significant portion of the population are often removed to maintain a current and relevant record of the language. This decision is based on extensive data analysis of contemporary written and spoken English.
• The Rise of New Terminology: The relentless march of innovation and discovery necessitates the creation of new words. As new concepts, technologies, and phenomena emerge, they are often accompanied by novel terminology, which can, in turn, overshadow or replace older words that served similar, albeit less specific, functions.

The internet, while a powerful tool for information dissemination and preservation, is not a perfect guardian of linguistic heritage. While it has become an invaluable repository for vast amounts of textual data, making previously obscure texts more accessible, it also reflects the current trends in language use. Therefore, even with the internet, the challenge of finding specific, perhaps archaic, words remains for dedicated researchers and writers.

The Author’s Dilemma: When the Perfect Word Eludes

For authors, the disappearance of a word is more than a linguistic curiosity; it can be a significant impediment to their craft. The general public may not encounter this challenge with the same frequency, but writers have distinct and often specialized linguistic needs.

Specialized Authorial Needs:

• Character Authenticity: Authors strive to imbue their characters with authenticity, and this extends to their dialogue and internal monologues. A character’s voice is shaped by their background, era, social class, and geographical origin. The ability to accurately reflect these nuances often requires the use of period-specific slang, regional dialects, or vocabulary associated with particular social strata. When these words are no longer readily available or understood, a character’s voice can become anachronistic or unconvincing.
• Historical and Cultural Immersion: For authors writing historical fiction or stories set in distinct cultural enclaves, accurate linguistic representation is paramount. The use of archaic terms can transport readers to another time or place, enhancing the immersive experience. Conversely, the absence of these words can break the illusion and pull readers out of the narrative.
• Figurative Language and Nuance: The richness of language lies in its ability to convey subtle shades of meaning and emotion. Authors often seek out specific words that carry precise connotations or evoke particular imagery. The loss of such words can necessitate clumsy circumlocutions or a diminished impact in their descriptive passages.

When an author finds themselves unable to locate a crucial word, the temptation to abandon the pursuit and settle for a less effective substitute can be strong. This often leads to compromised writing, where the intended impact is blunted, and the narrative loses some of its potency.

Strategies for Linguistic Reclamation: Authors’ Ingenuity in Action

Fortunately, dedicated authors are resourceful. Faced with the challenge of linguistic gaps, they have developed a suite of inventive strategies to unearth forgotten words and ensure their writing remains robust and authentic. These methods often involve a blend of old-school research, leveraging community knowledge, and embracing creative solutions.

Leveraging Human Networks and Immediate Resources

• The "Starbucks" Approach: The author suggests a surprisingly effective, albeit informal, method: simply ask someone nearby, perhaps a fellow patron at a coffee shop, if they know a particular word or phrase. While seemingly rudimentary, this taps into the collective linguistic knowledge of those around us. The person you ask might be a native speaker of a particular dialect, a retired academic, or simply someone with a keen ear for language. This approach can yield quick, on-the-spot insights.
• Consulting the Older and Younger Generations: Age groups often possess distinct linguistic repertoires. Older individuals may retain knowledge of vocabulary from earlier eras, while younger generations might be familiar with contemporary slang or emerging linguistic trends. By engaging with individuals across the age spectrum, authors can gain access to a wider range of linguistic expressions and understand how language has evolved. This direct human interaction can provide invaluable context and nuance that digital searches might miss.

Digging into the Archives: The Power of the Printed Word

• Amazon’s Used Book Feature: The author highlights a practical application of Amazon’s "New and Used" marketplace. By searching for books published in past decades using specific keywords, authors can uncover texts that are likely to contain the vocabulary they seek. This method is particularly effective for identifying period-specific slang, regionalisms, or technical jargon that might have fallen out of general use. The ability to browse through actual pages of older publications offers a tangible connection to past language.
• Specialized Slang Dictionaries: The author proudly admits to maintaining a personal collection of slang dictionaries, some of which are out of print. These specialized tomes are invaluable resources for writers aiming to capture the authentic voice of specific subcultures, time periods, or regions. Their rarity underscores the importance of preserving such linguistic treasures. The effort to track down and safeguard these books demonstrates a deep commitment to linguistic accuracy.
• The Charm of Charity Shops and Second-Hand Bookstores: The author advocates for a treasure hunt in charity shops and used bookstores. Purchasing old paperbacks, even for a nominal fee, can yield a wealth of linguistic gems. The focus should extend beyond thesauri to any book that compiles words for specific purposes. A particularly recommended example is The Describer’s Dictionary, which, though published decades ago, offers a wealth of descriptive terms that can be invaluable for enriching prose. This approach is both economical and serendipitous, allowing for unexpected discoveries.

Creative Word-Crafting and Linguistic Preservation

• Inventing New Words (with Precedent): The author points to Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky as a precedent for the legitimacy of neologisms. While not every invented word will achieve the iconic status of "chortle" or "galumph," authors can, with careful consideration, create plausible new words to fill specific linguistic voids. This requires an understanding of etymology and word formation to ensure the new word feels organic to the language and the context of the narrative. Such creative leaps can add a unique flair to writing.
• The Art of Marginalia: The author champions the practice of annotating books. By writing notes, definitions, or observations in the margins of one’s books, authors create a personalized, evolving glossary. These marginalia become a living record of linguistic discoveries and insights, invaluable for future reference. The advice to "not go giving them to charity or anyone else" emphasizes the personal and enduring value of these annotations.
• The Bookshelf as a Linguistic Sanctuary: The author playfully suggests building more bookshelves to avoid the obligation of "cleaning house." This underscores a broader point: a well-curated personal library is a vital tool for writers. By consciously acquiring and organizing books that offer linguistic richness, authors create their own specialized dictionaries and reference libraries, readily accessible for consultation. The act of organizing these books, whether by personal meaning or by adopting librarian-like categorization methods, further enhances their utility and ensures that these linguistic treasures are not lost to disarray.

About the Contributor: Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s Commitment to Writers

Carolyn Howard-Johnson, a prolific author and advocate for writers, consistently shares her expertise to empower fellow wordsmiths. Her contributions, often delivered under the hashtag #WRITERSONTHEMOVE, aim to prevent embarrassment, foster creativity, and make the writing process more enjoyable.

Her HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers has garnered multiple awards, with the third edition of The Frugal Editor being a testament to her dedication. This updated edition includes valuable insights into contact list magic and a revised chapter on how backmatter can effectively engage readers and boost book sales. The series is available on Amazon, with the e-book offering a convenient one-click purchase experience.

Howard-Johnson’s latest work, as hinted, delves into the very subject of this article: word lists. Her ongoing commitment to providing practical, actionable advice for writers solidifies her position as a trusted voice in the literary community, offering guidance on everything from linguistic preservation to effective book promotion. Her own work exemplifies the very strategies she advocates, demonstrating a deep understanding of the challenges and joys of the writing life.