Ten years ago it was 'Minion'... British children choose 'Climate Change' as Word of the Year

It has been reported that British children have chosen 'climate change' as the word of the year for 2023. When the survey was first conducted in 2014, children selected the cartoon character 'Minion,' but it is analyzed that the choices have gradually reflected the spirit of the times more sensitively.

Greek rural village submerged by floodwaters
Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the 16th (local time), Oxford University Press in the UK announced that British children selected 'climate change' as the 'Word of the Year for 2023.' Yonhap News reported that according to the survey conducted by Oxford University Press targeting children across the UK, 33% of the children surveyed answered this way. Following that, 'war' ranked second with 31%, and 'coronation' ranked third with 24%.

The children who participated in the survey responded that the word 'climate change' made them feel 'afraid,' 'sad,' and 'worried.' Among the children who chose 'war' as the second most important word, many mentioned the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas war. The children who selected 'coronation' as the most important word cited the coronation of Charles III, which took place in 2023, as the reason.

A representative from Oxford University Press explained, "This shows how much attention children are paying to the news and their surroundings, and it reflects their willingness to participate in meaningful change."

Oxford University Press first started the survey in 2014. At that time, children chose the cartoon character 'Minion,' but the trend has gradually shifted to more sensitively reflect the spirit of the times.

The words of the year chosen by children started with 'Minion' in 2014, followed by 'hashtag' in 2015, 'refugee' in 2016, 'Trump' in 2017, 'plastic' in 2018, 'Brexit' in 2019, 'COVID-19' in 2020, 'anxiety' in 2021, and 'queen' in 2022.

Oxford University Press also stated that the slang word chosen by children for 2023 was 'bro,' explaining that this word is used not only to refer to a friend but also to warn someone and show solidarity.

Oxford University Press, which publishes the Oxford Dictionary, selects and announces the children's word of the year annually for children and teenagers aged 6 to 14 and prepares a children's language report.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.