The Dark Side of Translation: A Review
“We tend to consider translation as something good, virtuous and bright,” says Federico Italiano, in the introduction to his newly published book, The Dark Side of Translation. And isn’t it? Translation broadens communication, breaks down barriers, makes language more universally accessible. It is, ultimately, an act of inclusivity. Except when it’s not. The virtuous act […]
Etymology and Cardi B.
If you use Instagram, Vine, listen to pop radio, or have seen any of the Love and Hip Hop series, you may know who I am describing already. Cardi B., born as Belcalis Marelnis Almanzar, posted an insightful story to her Instagram. It begs the question, “Why am I told that getting a Hermes Birkin […]
Some (new insights) on verbal tenses
Everybody here has studied verbal tenses. In English, in French, in whatever language. One who speaks a language correctly uses the verbal tenses correctly. For instance, in English we know that the present perfect is somehow used for past situations with a certain relationship with the current moment, whereas preterit is for a past and […]
MAMMA MIA!
How “mama” was the first word in recorded history 8th of march – the international women’s day. Bulgaria celebrates it as well, acknowledging all the wonderful women that contribute to our lives, as well as society, however we have put a little twist on it – we mainly celebrate is as mother’s day, how and […]
I hate morphology!
I hate morphology… or rather I should say that as a language learner/speaker, I hate flexional morphology, tho’ as a linguist I somehow love it, but that would have been too long and not sexy enough for an article title. So, a little context here, before the rant. As a French native speaker living in […]
Reclaiming Scots as slang
Some thoughts on Scottish English – and on Scots. The first Scots sentence I can consciously recall was ‘Mars is braw in cramassy.’ It was before I had set foot in Scotland, before I had met and married a Scottish woman, that I encountered London Underground’s ‘Poems on the Underground’ poster series, which brought to […]
