Discussion keeps the world turning.
This is Roundtable.
Hello, welcome to Roundtable, where we serve up piping hot debates on the issues that sizzle in China and beyond.
I'm Niuhenglin.
Language is a living, breathing entity, constantly evolving to keep up with our ever changing lives.
That is why Roundtables easily each World of the Year special episode isn't just a linguistic trend.
It's more of a time capsule revealing what mattered most to us as a society for the past year.
From the rise of AI to the embrace of brat culture, what do 2024's words tell us about where we've been and where we're headed?
For today's show, I'm joined by Yu Shan and Steve Hatherly.
Now grab your virtual compass and follow us to the heart of the discussion.
Some say language is humanity's oldest tool.
Then Words of the Year are its annual progress reports.
These are linguistic markers of how technology, culture, and emotions intersect in our modern world.
From sizzling slang to viral catchphrases, these words have been the life of the party, shaping our conversations and capturing the spirit of the times.
But where do these words come from?
Why did they shine so brightly this year?
Grab your coffee or tea, no judgment, and let's dive into a lively discussion that's part pop culture, part linguistic, and 100% fun.
And by the way, let me know, what is your word of the year?
But we can discuss that at the end of this episode.
Start from the word of the year 2024, actually, when we do these kind of episodes, because Roundtable has been doing these kind of lists and words of the year for, I think, several years straight.