The virus & the English language

A tiny virus has taken over our lives!

It dictates what we should do, what we should not do, forces us to stay at home, impacts our finances, disrupts our routine for the present and maybe for sometime in the future too. So what if we do not abide by its diktats — it may take our lives. COVID-19 or Coronavirus is the talk of the town or rather the ‘talk of the world’. Even as countries around the world take wartime measures to curb the spread of the virus, scientists are  working round the clock to find a vaccine against COVID-19. The common man is in self-protection mode ( though there are some kamikaze pilots who roam around displaying bravado) and the Almighty, (even if religious places of worship are closed) is flush with prayers received.. A combination of all three should ensure that mankind triumphs over the virus in due course and life comes to normal, a new normal.Yes, a new normal because certain things will change forever.

Talking about change, this post is about the subtle changes which will come about/which have started coming about in the usage, meaning and intent of many English words and phrases, all thanks to this tiny virus. Before going into the phrases, let us understand what a virus is. It is neither a living creature nor a non-living one. What? Yes, if a parallel is drawn to human gender, it can be said a virus is neither male nor female but a third gender. A virus cannot multiply on its own but can do so once it enters a living creature. It further affects the host immensely. What is a language? It is a method of human communication, either spoken or written. So can a thing which is somewhat of a ‘half-measure’ between a living and non-living entity impact the method of communication between the most intelligent ( supposedly) living creature – Man? Yes.

COVID-19 and its aftermath will be a watershed in our lives as also of the next generation, much like the World Wars were defining periods in the lives of our parents & grandparents. B.C.E & A.C.E will remain but their meanings will be Before Corona Era & After Corona Era……….. so the corresponding years of the Common Era could well be different.

Some of the phrases in English, which people would resist using or use with care or use with a caveat come to mind.  ” Man is a social animal” – my foot! Corona has taught us two lessons — 1) Man’s avarice has led to this situation. 2) Social-distancing is the only way to prevent spread of this virus. So….. man will no longer be considered as a social animal. The word ‘ social’ will get knocked out from the phrase and what will remain is ‘Man is a(n) animal. Ha, this sounds logical, true and very apt.

Another oft-repeated phrase is ” The world is a global village”. Sounds funny, isn’t it at this point in time? International borders are sealed, as are state borders and even cities are under complete lock-downs.People are confined to their homes and there is no transportation on the ground, water or air. Gone are the days when we had breakfast in one continent and dinner in another. Now all meals are at the same table at home. No helpers, maids or home-deliveries. No crowds on the roads. We have to do our own stuff. Even the limited purchase for essential items is done from nearby shops. So truly it is a village atmosphere, but a global village? Oh forget it!

Color of your collar, whether blue or white should matter for very little in times to come. In a world where the term ‘White collar’ signified an exalted hierarchical position when compared to a ‘Blue collar’, till now, the order is changing and changing rapidly. Blue collars have earned tremendous respect for their selfless service during these troubled times, so much so that people will be wary of using the terms‘ Blue collar jobs’ and ‘White collar jobs’ as opposite poles or of different social classes.

‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’ could well change to Cleanliness is equal to or comes before Godliness. Gone will be the days of dainty dabs of the fingers and mouth in Michelin star restaurants after meals. There will be proper washing of hands and mouth with water/sanitizers. Even a proper cleaning of the posterior with water may become the order of the day (something considered fit only for the uncouth) instead of depending on rolls of paper.

How often we hear people cribbing about lack of ‘Work-Life balance’  and the so-called experts suggesting ways and means to achieve the same. After all COVID-19 has taught all of us, the downside in Work-from-home. In the A.C.E, many people will consider themselves blessed if they have work and thereby be in a position to balance their lives. This phrase ‘Work-Life balance’ will gradually vanish from dictionaries and Management books.

Another fall-out of COVID-19 has been the billions of dollars investors have lost in the equity markets worldwide. This includes both amateurs and the seasoned professionals acclaimed for ‘Value-investing’. The virus has not spared anyone and even before the curve of its spread has been flattened, it has succeeded in flattening many of these value-investors. This phrase, ‘Value-investing’ will remain in use but will not be limited to financial investments. One can seek value in relationships,social work and research.

COVID-19 would retreat but the lessons from it will be invaluable for the rest of our lives, be it in Economics, Hygiene & Health, Management and above all in the English language.