2007-03-16 06:27:58 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
sorry, I don't seem to be very clear on this.
All I want to know is who decided that words should be called "words", not what is the definition of "word".
2007-03-16 07:04:39 · update #1
Who decided how all the words are called? They have developed as they are over thousands of years. Many words in English have a Germanic root, and others have a Latin root. "Word" has a Germanic root and is almost the same in German ("Wort") and Dutch ("woord"). So you might say some ancient Germanic tribes decided to use a word similar to this, but something like this isn't a concious decision of course, it just develops.
2007-03-16 06:40:30 · answer #1 · answered by Elly 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A word is a unit of language that carries meaning and consists of one or more morphemes which are linked more or less tightly together, and has a phonetical value. Typically a word will consist of a root or stem and zero or more affixes. Words can be combined to create phrases, clauses, and sentences. A word consisting of two or more stems joined together is called a compound.
2007-03-16 06:40:08 · answer #2 · answered by dave a 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And who decided which words should be called "swear words" and what was their system of logic in determing what classed a word as "bad"?
2007-03-16 06:40:12 · answer #3 · answered by Rob 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know. But the word fits, Like spider! Who thought of calling it that?
2007-03-16 07:21:05 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our word for "Word" is derived from Proto-Germanic "wurdan."
Norma Loquendi decided that it should be "word.":
2007-03-16 10:16:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The first wordsmith.
2007-03-16 06:35:30 · answer #6 · answered by efes_haze 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thing that make you go hmmmmmmm???? thats a good question.
2007-03-16 06:53:49 · answer #7 · answered by ♥SaLz♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A latin thing.
2007-03-16 06:40:33 · answer #8 · answered by starrdevine 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
interesting question - i have no idea!
2007-03-16 06:35:15 · answer #9 · answered by Millie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋