Used to be that all that was necessary to understand one’s implication when using the word was situational and maybe cultural context.
When do you feel this has changed?
Because from what I can tell, it still is that way. Both meanings of “weird” that we’re discussing (and, surely, the rest of its meanings) ARE the result of cultural changes.
Now, personal context is needed for both the speaker and the subject - you need to know the political/ethical proclivities of both the speaker and subject to know whether it’s meant as an insult or compliment.
You understood what those people meant when they used “weird” negatively. Did you know the political/ethical proclivities of every single person? Did you have to comb through their post/comment histories for information to be able to translate what they said? Or, did you infer what they meant based on the context of the post and the culture of the community?
Yes, non-native speakers will struggle more; this language is a particularly difficult one to learn, and envy no one who is trying to learn it as a 2nd/3rd/ect. language. English’s fluidity isn’t exactly something that is unique to it, though.
What do you propose is the alternative? We can’t exactly stop cultural evolution… why would we want to, anyway?
Really, the only difference now is that we have the internet, which just makes it change a lot more rapidly. It’s all still the result of culture, though.
I’m so sorry that this happened to you. You are FAR from being overly sensitive about this, and any reasonable and decent would agree. Full stop.
It must’ve been so hard to hold it in this whole time. This is such a horrible thing to go through, especially for such a young child, and for such an extended period of time, no less. Fuck, I wish I could give child you a big hug.
I hope you know that this wasn’t your fault.
I’m sorry for the other little boy, too. I’m sure you’re right about his home life. It’s sick how abuse can spread so easily.