Activity [1.4.1]: Defining Terms

1. What do the words “text” and “technology” mean to you? Consider the course title, “Text technologies: The changing spaces of reading and writing.”

2. Listen to The Word Guy’s episode on Internet Age Words.

Can you think of other words that might have been updated based on technological advancements?

Berkowitz’s examples: virus, viral, computer, cloud, tablet, text, book, code, firewall, file, cursor, browser, firehose, tag, catfish, mouse, Google

Language is used to understand technology. These words are metaphors for their technological counterparts.

List: traffic, trending, attachment, bookmark, boot, cache, chip, security, gateway, java, python, language, protocol, processor, footprint, search, server, zip, recycle bin, history, tab, window, sandbox, incognito, swipe, status, pirate, cut, copy, paste, toolbar, home, manager, pin, extension, tools, pen, screen, cookie, block, script, hardware, folder, program, system, mining, data, troll, bait, ghost, friend, ping, tweet, bump, engagement, likes, poke, reaction, share, comment, post, filter, handle, lens, timeline, story, boost, views, check-in, stream, feed, chat, evergreen, follow, frequency, platform, channel, reach, key, run

3. Search the OED for formal definitions and etymology.

Text: textile, texture, texta, textbook, textarian, texter, textible, textology, textual, textualism, textualist, textuality, textually, textorial, textrine, textura, textuist, textuary, texturology, textus 

Technology: technical, technique, teche, techonomic,  techno, technic, technoid, technologize, technological, technonomy, technologism, tache  

4. Graph the Usage of the terms over time with GoogleNgramViewer.

5. Consider the following questions or come up with questions of your own.

• What does the etymology of these words suggest about their inherent meanings? 
• What, for example, does textiles have to do with text? 
• How is technology related to text? 
• What does teche (teaching) have to do with technology? 
• How has the usage of these terms evolved over the centuries? Consider, for example, how the term technology is used at present by ministries or departments of education. Consider also why many scholars and performers speak of performance (dramatic, filmic, and so on), graphic art, etc., as “text.” 
• Can you identify historical events that might have influenced changes in the usage of these terms over time as evidenced in the Google Ngram search?