Language, as we know it, is more than a tool for communication. It's a mirror that reflects our shared history, collective wisdom, and even societal prejudices and assumptions. Think about the words you use daily; they are loaded with layers of meaning. But let's dive into the interesting, controversial, and evolving world of language.

When author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie said languages contain "prejudices" and "assumptions," she pointed out an essential part of our speech and writings. A quick example is the usage of "he" as a generic pronoun in the past, which can be seen as a bias towards males. Nowadays, people strive for gender-neutral language like using "they" to avoid such biases.

"Political correctness" is all about avoiding expressions perceived as oppressive or marginalizing. Remember when people started saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas"? That's an attempt at being politically correct by not assuming everyone celebrates Christmas. The idea is that language can inflict harm and hinder change, and by being politically correct, we can avoid this.

Language, like every other part of our lives, evolves. But what happens when our social norms and moral values change faster than our language? For instance, the term "fireman" may seem outdated in today's world where we prefer "firefighter" for its gender neutrality. The factors that affect how quickly language and its users adapt to new politics could include education, cultural diversity, and digital technology.

The internet has been a game-changer, providing a platform for people to learn, discuss, and revise language. However, this also runs the risk of leaving behind those without online access. For example, certain slangs or terms that are commonly used and understood online might not be familiar to someone without internet access.