As we approach the end of 2021, it’s natural to start thinking about what the future holds. And for language enthusiasts, that means predicting the word of the year for 2024.
The word of the year is a term or phrase that captures the cultural, social, and political climate of a particular year. It’s chosen by various organizations, including dictionaries, language experts, and even social media platforms.
In this article, we’ll explore the process of predicting the word of the year and make our predictions for the word of 2024.
How is the Word of the Year Chosen?
Language Experts and Dictionaries
One of the most common ways the word of the year is chosen is through the input of language experts and dictionaries. These experts analyze language trends, popular culture, and current events to determine which word or phrase best represents the year.
For example, in 2020, the Merriam-Webster dictionary chose “pandemic” as its word of the year, reflecting the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, the American Dialect Society chose “COVID” as its word of the year, highlighting the same phenomenon.
Social Media Platforms
In recent years, social media platforms have also become a popular source for predicting the word of the year. With millions of users sharing their thoughts and opinions, these platforms provide a wealth of data for language experts to analyze.
For example, in 2019, Twitter chose “they” as its word of the year, reflecting the growing use of gender-neutral pronouns and the increasing visibility of the LGBTQ+ community.
Cultural and Political Events
Cultural and political events can also have a significant impact on the world of the year. For example, in 2016, the Oxford English Dictionary chose “post-truth” as its word of the year. Reflecting the rise of fake news and the erosion of objective facts in public discourse.
Similarly, in 2017, the American Dialect Society chose “fake news” as its word of the year, highlighting the same phenomenon.
Predictions for the Word of 2024
Now that we understand how the word of the year is chosen, let’s make some predictions for the word of 2024. While it’s impossible to know for sure what the future holds. We can make educated guesses based on current trends and events.
Christian Word of the Year
Each year, the Christian community also chooses a word of the year that reflects their faith and values. In 2020, the Christian word of the year was “essential,” recognizing the essential role of faith and community during the pandemic.
For 2024, our prediction for the Christian word of the year is “resilience.” This word captures the strength and perseverance of the Christian community in the face of challenges and adversity.
Word of the Year 2024
For the overall word of the year 2024, our prediction is “recovery.” This word reflects the hope and determination to bounce back from the challenges of the past few years and rebuild a better future.
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, political and social unrest, and environmental concerns. The word “recovery” encompasses the various aspects of our current reality and the desire for a brighter tomorrow.
Other Possible Contenders
While our predictions for the word of 2024 are based on current trends and events. There are always other possible contenders that could take the top spot.
Technology and Innovation
As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, it’s possible that a word related to technology or innovation could be chosen as the word of 2024. This could include terms like “AI,” “automation,” or “virtual.”
Social Justice and Equality
The past few years have seen a significant focus on social justice and equality, and this trend is likely to continue in the future. It’s possible that a word related to these issues, such as “equity,” “inclusion,” or “diversity,” could be chosen as the word of 2024.
Climate Change and Sustainability
With the increasing urgency of climate change and the growing focus on sustainability, it’s possible that a word related to these topics could be chosen as the word of 2024. This could include terms like “green,” “sustainable,” or “carbon-neutral.”
Conclusion
Predicting the word of the year is a fun and thought-provoking exercise. It allows us to reflect on current trends and events and imagine what the future may hold. While our predictions for the word of 2024 are just educated guesses. They reflect the current state of the world and the potential for growth and progress in the years to come.
What do you think the word of 2024 will be? Share your predictions in the comments below.
