Participles – the end of language

Gendering for fun: A press release today mentioned something about "flyers," meaning the passengers of an airplane.

"Flying" sounds as if they're about to land. Or after the end of flying altogether. And "readers" of the corresponding press release were, of course, addressed as "media representatives." It doesn't get any worse? Surely it will.

(➡️ A quick note for international readers: You won't be able to understand this text translated. It's about a novel use of German words that can't be translated into other languages. The "end."

Participles as misunderstandings

It is a phenomenon that not only astonishes linguists – and in which the media industry is happily participating: the increasing use of participles as gender-neutral terms is causing misunderstandings – and curious misinterpretations.

A particularly worrying example is the term "radio listeners." It almost sounds as if they'll soon give up listening to the radio.

The situation is similar with "car drivers" – are they about to park their cars on the side of the road forever? And "cyclists"? Are they hanging up their bikes?

End of the hunt

Likewise, “hunters” who are apparently about to take up rifle and arrow for the Culture to resign permanently and to retire immediately.

The list of linguistic insecurities is long. "Listeners" sound as if they could switch off at any moment, while "laughers" may only let their laughter ring out briefly before abruptly falling silent.

And "teachers"? Well, they could at least hold out until the end of class.

The last bites

Language activists argue that these formulations sound refreshingly dynamic and accurately reflect reality.

"Writers" only do this in this moment—which is true. But what happens when "flyers" get stuck in the air or "drivers" stop in the middle of the highway?

Who knows: Perhaps soon, even those who eat will just be chewing the last few bites before they reach a state of satiation. Or something like that.

Conclusion

Until then, we wish all readers a lot of fun reading this—and good luck to all those still alive. Thanks to such participles, the end of normal language is closer than ever.

Those who laugh take it with humor. And otherwise, please spare me, the reader, such meaningless press releases. Thank you.

Sierks Media / © Photo: luismolinero, de.depositphotos.com