Using nouns as verbs and verbs as adjectives are only two of the glaring changes in the English language. In a tense and highly-charged presidential election year, one word of choice that continues to be popular now is overwhelm. Previously it merely was used as a description of a feeling, such as someone describing their inability to move forward or take action. One might say “I am overwhelmed.” The use of this word these days to highlight one’s feelings of stress as a noun, as in I am in “overwhelm,” is becoming too easy. This description of a state of being to explain one’s inability to take action is becoming more popular. Some experts maintain that these types of descriptors are changing our common language vocabulary.
The importance of making oneself clear to others cannot be emphasized enough. Changes in the conventions of the English languages are speeding forward. Blame it on laziness, or an unwillingness to make sure the message being sent is conveyed clearly are only making it more difficult to communicate. None of us can afford ourselves the luxury of using our emotions to hide from important conversations. If we are overwhelmed by the aggressiveness brandished by others as they speak their opinions it is important to use those fleeting feelings of inertia and helplessness to the greater good by pausing for a moment and then speaking clearly.
By Dolly Viscardi
