Words such as covidiot, spendemic, and my personal favourite, quarantini have recently entered themselves into the English Language, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Others, such as circuit-breaker, unprecedented and exit strategy have also seen an increased use, or even given a completely different definition altogether.
Isn’t it fantastic how new language seems to have been created?
However, sometimes I find myself slightly confused by the language used in the government briefings. I can follow what they are saying to some extent, however I often feel a sense of confusion and stress if I do not understand what the leaders of our country are saying.
Does anyone else feel this way?
– Nora, 55, Plymouth
Yes, Nora! The new vocabulary really is fantastic.
If you haven’t seen it already, this blog series written by Tony Thorne gives a glossary of the language of coronavirus which appears to have gone viral.
Undoubtedly, everyday language has been ‘medicalised’. Many science and technological terms have found their way into our everyday vocabulary. Terms including incubation period, flatten the curve, asymptomatic and social/physical distancing have been at the height of our news for well over a year now, and it seems they’re not going anywhere anytime soon.
As for what you say about feeling confused: I guarantee you are not the only one. Social distancing, for is, is an oxymoron – how is distancing from people a social action? The terms simply contradict each other. Even definitions of relatively basic terms such as test and trace have been subject to variation, according to Tony Thorne, causing them to be difficult to understand due to the official interpretations differing almost every announcement. Please don’t feel like you are the only one confused by the language – at times it is incredibly scientific and technical.
Here’s an image I found which is a parady of ‘Toryspeak’ – it made me chuckle!
– Tony, 61, Kent
Quarantini – I love it! Have definitely had a few of those this lockdown!
– Emma, 31, Birmingham