The Lost Words of Nature
Dorset Magazine|March 2020
The removal of words such as bluebell, wren and conker from the Oxford Junior Dictionary will impact on children’s relationship with the countryside, says Sally Welbourn of Dorset Wildlife Trust
The Lost Words of Nature

The 2007 and 2012 edition of the Oxford Junior Dictionary (OJD) caused much anger and frustration amongst writers, educators and nature campaigners when everyday nature-related words such as - acorn, bluebell and kingfisher - were removed. Over a decade later, in 2019, the Oxford Dictionary declared climate emergency as the ‘word of the year’, with a hundred-fold increase in usage. The disappearance of these wild words, followed by the introduction of negative words that reflect the alarming decline of nature globally, is a sad state of affairs. But how much does the language we use shape our understanding and desire to do something about it? A spokesperson from the Oxford

Dictionary said: “All our dictionaries are designed to reflect language as it is used, rather than seeking to prescribe certain words or word usages.”

So, there’s a bigger problem we must deal with. Young people - the next generation who are familiar with words such as blogging and selfie – just aren’t engaging with the natural world in a meaningful way.

What comes first: words or experiences? It’s fair to say that the evolution of our culture shapes the language we use. But the words we use to express ourselves are powerful. They create feelings, express opinions and ideas. It happens every day on social media where the use of a single word can cause offence, outrage or laughter.

この記事は Dorset Magazine の March 2020 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Dorset Magazine の March 2020 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

DORSET MAGAZINEのその他の記事すべて表示
Fighting Fit At Fifty
Dorset Magazine

Fighting Fit At Fifty

As the country braces for a lockdown winter, seize the moment to become the fittest you can be – after all age is just a number

time-read
4 分  |
November 2020
Last Night I Dreamt I Went To Mapperton Again...
Dorset Magazine

Last Night I Dreamt I Went To Mapperton Again...

Helen Stiles goes behind the scenes at the filming of Rebecca where two historic Dorset manor houses play a starring role as Manderley in this romantic thriller

time-read
9 分  |
November 2020
Painting the Seasons
Dorset Magazine

Painting the Seasons

Nicholas Hely Hutchinson reveals how the changing moods of the Dorset coast and countryside inspire his paintings

time-read
4 分  |
November 2020
THE HEAT IS ON
Dorset Magazine

THE HEAT IS ON

Weymouth 51 are blazing a trail through the chilli world with their handcrafted fermented sauces that offer layers of complex flavours from mild and fruity to super-hot tongue tinglers

time-read
8 分  |
November 2020
Meeting MR FIX IT
Dorset Magazine

Meeting MR FIX IT

Sir Oliver Letwin stepped down as the MP for West Dorset in 2019, but his passion for the county he served for 22 years is as strong as ever

time-read
7 分  |
November 2020
Wildlife Wanderings
Dorset Magazine

Wildlife Wanderings

David Bailey shares some of his favourite Dorset images and stories taken from his new book

time-read
3 分  |
November 2020
SOWING THE SEEDS
Dorset Magazine

SOWING THE SEEDS

The average age of a British farmer is 60, which is why the Melplash Agricultural Society is investing in the next generation of Dorset farmers

time-read
10 分  |
November 2020
HAUNTED DORSET
Dorset Magazine

HAUNTED DORSET

From spectral Roman armies and duelling ghosts to a beneficent black dog, Jerry Bird explores some of the spookier goings on around the county

time-read
9 分  |
November 2020
Decorative art
Dorset Magazine

Decorative art

Not simply functional, treat your walls like an extension of your personality

time-read
3 分  |
November 2020
Age-old advice
Dorset Magazine

Age-old advice

Just become a grandparent for the first time? Perhaps you need a little guidance, so here are some top tips about how to embrace your new family role

time-read
3 分  |
November 2020