Tag Archives: Linguistics
Twanging with Lynne Murphy aka Lynneguist
A conversation with University of Sussex linguist Lynne Murphy. An American in Britain, Murphy maintains the Separated by a Common Language blog, where she goes by the moniker Lynneguist. Murphy’s accent is soft, but that doesn’t stop Brits from mocking … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
The butcher, the baker, and the cabbage gelder
As far as tedium goes, nothing competes with filling out a government form. How best to relieve the tedium? Invent stuff. Not out-and-out lie, just get a bit creative (OK, sometimes out-an-out lie: if I were to identify myself as … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
The staying power of English, and Shakespeare in Shona
Top five language stories this month with Patrick and cartoon queen Carol Hills: 5. Multi-lingual Shakespeare. All of Shakespeare’s 38 plays will be performed next year in London, each in a different language. Hosting this 6-week season — part of … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
English sources, Italian renaissance, Spanish rebellion
The online version of the Oxford English Dictionary has just had a makeover. One of the new features is a list of 1,000 sources for English words and expressions. These tend to be authors (Shakespeare, Dickens, Twain) or publications (Chambers’s … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Genders, geniuses, and Tamil onomatopoeia
Another top five language stories. In no particular order: 5. A new line of Tamil pulp fiction translated into English keeps the magnificent onomatopoeia of the original. The brilliant people behind this are Chennai-based Blaft Publications. They have plans for … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Grammar tips in Brazil, and magic in a second language
Forget their laidback image, Brazilians care deeply about grammar. One city has a long-established grammar hotline staffed by Portuguese language experts. Now the state of Rio de Janeiro is following suit. This may, or may not, be in response to … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Spy accents, sign language, and not my bad.
Our top five language stories this month: 5. Making Tamil even more official. In the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Tamil is an official language. It’s widely spoken there. Indeed it was the very first of India’s languages to be … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Globish, health care, and a Facebook misunderstanding
This week, the case for and against Globish. A group of writers and artists debate the proposition that a simplified version of English is uniquely equipped to take over the world. That argument is made by Robert McCrum in his … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Language adoption and the future of spelling
This week’s pod has two contrasting stories on language adoption. In the first instance, the intention is to encourage bilingualism; in the second, it’s to promote nationalism. Belgium hasn’t had a revolution since 1830 (see pic), after which a new … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
