Erin McKean: Go ahead, make up new words!

The video discusses the role of a lexicographer and the collective decision-making process in determining what constitutes a word. It explains the difference between natural grammar rules and usage, encouraging creativity in word creation. The speaker outlines six methods for creating new words in English: borrowing from other languages, compounding, blending, functional shift, back formation, and acronyms. The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to create and submit new words to Wordnik.

What is the primary role of a lexicographer according to the speaker?

• To create new words

• To decide which words are correct

• To document all possible words in a dictionary

• To enforce grammatical rules

What does the 'wug test' demonstrate about language learning?

• Language rules are irrelevant

• Language rules are similar to traffic laws

• Language rules are learned unconsciously

• Language rules are taught explicitly

Which of the following is NOT a method of word formation mentioned by the speaker?

• Borrowing from other languages

• Creating new alphabets

• Compounding

• Blending

What is the process of combining two words with some parts falling off called?

• Acronym creation

• Back formation

• Blending

• Compounding

What is the term for changing a word's part of speech, like turning a noun into a verb?

• Blending

• Compounding

• Back formation

• Functional shift

How does the speaker view the creation of new words?

• As unnecessary

• As a form of art

• As a distraction

• As a valuable form of expression

Why does the speaker encourage the creation of new words?

• To confuse people

• To enhance communication and expression

• To replace old words

• To make dictionaries obsolete