Quote:
Originally Posted by Qilin
Why would it be incorrect to use a term if it doesn't correspond to its traditional usage?
|
It's linguistic corruption. Just because a misused and abused term is very widespread, doesn't mean it's correct. Also, assuming something is true because a lot of people now use it is a logical fallacy called
argumentum ad populum or bandwagon fallacy (e.g. "Xs of people can't be wrong", where X is plural). It only proves that a belief is
popular, not that it is
true.
You are right that meanings change over time, but it doesn't change the fact that the corruption of the word stems from incorrect usage. Also, I don't think usage of the term "shounen" in English warrants splitting it into "traditional" and "contemporary" definitions. There is only one definition. The other is a corruption of the definition.