What Conversate Really Is? Understanding This Rare English Term

A word is like a bridge- it connects nations, ideas, and cultures. But not every word is as well constructed, and not every word can span the wide variations of the English language. Some rise like monuments in history, some fly with time, and then there are those odd words-controversial, debatable, but often misunderstood. Example-"conversate".

You probably heard someone say "let's conversate" rather than "let's converse" and might have stopped to wonder if that was even a real word. Some people say that's wrong, but use it freely in speaking while grammarians seem to carry on their endless debate about it. But what's the story really behind this odd word?

Let's break it down - explore its origins, what the controversy it surrounds is, and if you should use it in everyday conversation.

There is an Odyssey to Every Word: The Source of Conversate

Language is not static; it is dynamic and changes through time with the carriers, the speakers. "Conversate" is actually a good indicator of this. Although modern usages would regard it as a new word or recent slang, it has an older capacity for historical roots than what most people know.

Back-formation is the term to describe the creation of words by shortening longer definitions. Here, "donate" is derived from "donation" and "burgle" from "burglary." Naturally, "conversate" follows "conversation."

Having been spoken in English for many centuries now, "conversate" particularly has developed some links to that usage of African American Vernacular English, as well as informal speech patterns. The earliest known occurrence was from the 1800s, and the word continued to be popularized within specific dialects thereafter.

As a matter of fact, "conversate" has appeared in the lexicon of literature, songs, and pop culture for ages now. It has made its way into blues songs, hip-hop lyrics, and even mainstream movies. Yet for all that, it has not become an element of the formal, accepted English formation.

Invisible Stigma: The Conversate Issue

Language has a tendency to be conflict-prone; every word has its own battle to be called right or wrong, in the light of historical and social influences. Some words are termed "proper" because they have found their usage by those in power, while others are simply thrown out as "wrong" for their roots within regional dialects or marginalized societies.

This is just the very stigma that has enveloped "conversate." Because it developed outside the usual boundaries of academia, it very quickly succumbed to the term "nonstandard English." Grammar purists argue that the only verb form of "conversation" is "converse"; "conversate," to them, is not a worthwhile or legitimate form.

The thing is: many words considered wrong or informal are in wide, accepted use now.

The word "ain't" was once much frowned upon, and is now used frequently in casual speech.

"Gonna" was called sloppy back in the day; now it's normalized into everyday language.

Even the word "selfie," once regarded as a bit ridiculous, got into the dictionary itself.

So, is there actually anything wrong with "conversate," or is it merely waiting to be accepted?

Is there a place for ‘conversate’ in Formal English?

"Conversate," to many of those who understand and use it, goes for commonly spoken informalities. So, unless you're writing an academic paper, giving a professional speech, or drafting an important email, you will still prefer "converse."

Language is a fashion. Some words go well during a for-oneself time, while others associate being worn with some exclusivity.

For instance: "I would love to converse with you about this matter," versus, "Let’s converse about this real quick." 

Say it to your friends, and the word "conversate" hardly raises an eyebrow. Use it in a job interview or business report, however, and you're much safer with "converse." 

The Reader's Takeaway: To Conversate or Not to Conversate?

This is what is beautiful about language: It grows, changes, and adapts over time. Well, "conversate" is not that widely accepted yet in formal English, but it is a usage that will prove how important it has been in communication.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to context in a casual setting, go ahead and use it! In a professional environment, stick to "converse" lest you incur the judgments of language purists.

Language is never static- it bends, evolves, and adapts with its use. The more a word is spoken, the more it truly finds itself in mainstream acceptance. So, the next time someone tells you "conversate is not a real word," you already know the history, the controversy, and the truth. 

So, would you use the term "conversate" in a sentence? Let's conversate about it!