1. Neologisms (New Words):
* "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll (from "Through the Looking-Glass"): Carroll created a whole new language with made-up words like "jabberwocky," "slithy," and "mimsy." While nonsensical, they have a playful sound and rhythm, making them fun to read and creating a unique world.
* Science Fiction: Writers like H.G. Wells and Jules Verne often coined new words to describe futuristic technology and concepts. Think "robot," "spaceship," or "teleport" — all words that didn't exist before these authors popularized them.
* Slang and Youth Culture: Teenagers and subcultures often invent new words or phrases to express themselves differently. Think of words like "lit," "bae," or "yeet" that have become mainstream in recent years.
2. New Meanings for Existing Words:
* Shakespeare: He took existing words and gave them new meanings or connotations. For instance, "nice" once meant "foolish" but Shakespeare used it to mean "refined" or "delicate."
* Internet Culture: With the internet, existing words can get new meanings (like "epic" or "troll"). This rapid evolution of language is a constant phenomenon online.
* Technical Jargon: Different fields develop their own specialized vocabulary. For example, doctors and engineers use words with very specific meanings that may not be understood by others.
3. Playful Wordplay and Punctuation:
* E.E. Cummings: Cummings famously experimented with punctuation and capitalization, often breaking standard grammar rules to create a new rhythm and emphasis in his poems.
* James Joyce: Joyce's "Ulysses" is a masterpiece of linguistic experimentation. He uses stream-of-consciousness, wordplay, and neologisms to create a unique reading experience.
* Modern Poetry: Many contemporary poets play with language in unconventional ways, challenging traditional notions of grammar and syntax.
4. Historical Texts:
* The Bible: The Bible is a source of many words and phrases that have entered English, including words like "Hallelujah" and "amen."
* Ancient Greek and Roman Literature: These texts introduced many words and concepts that are still used today, including many philosophical terms.
These are just a few examples, and the ways that language is used and invented continue to evolve over time. So, the next time you read a text, consider the words themselves — are they used in a unique way, or are there new meanings or words being introduced?