How to read Japanese characters and why it is so hard and interesting at the same time
Reading Chinese characters can be difficult already, since you need to memorize both the meaning and the pronunciation of a character, but Japanese characters (kanji) definitely take it to the next level: indeed, most Japanese characters have at least two different pronunciations, sometimes three, four, up to ten and even more. In order to read […]
Aussie Lingo 101: Oh Naur! Diphthongs in Australian Vowels
A young man in a blue tank top, green shorts and a terrible blonde wig stares in horror at the camera, bringing his hands to his face. “Oh nor, Cleorrr!” he cries in a thick Australian drawl.If this scenario sounds familiar to you, chances are you have been enjoying the H2O challenge on Tik Tok […]
The evolution of languages in the 21st Century
The 21st century has been marked by significant advancements in technology and globalization, leading to profound changes in the way we communicate and use language. The evolution of languages in this century has been shaped by various factors, including the rise of digital media, increasing migration, and the need for cross-cultural communication. One of the most […]
An Etymology of the Holidays
For many around the world, this time of year marks the festive season. While we’re on the topic, the word festive comes from the Latin festum (‘festival’) arriving in English via the French language. It shares an etymology with words like English feast and French fête (originally feste). The English language has many different ways […]
Issue #68 is now available to subscribers
Dialects of the Internet: Memes and Virtual BondsBy Nicole Lorenzoni Flower Power: The captivating language of flowersBy Joana Atanasova In the Wake of the Bounty: the Linguistic Consequences of the Most Infamous Mutiny in HistoryBy Barbara Nykiel-Herbert Lewis Carroll’s Linguistic CuriositiesBy Samantha Steyn I Beg Your Pardon? Egg Corns ExplainedBy Patricia Syner The wonderful strangeness […]
From Nonsense To Sense: What Text Actually Means
Learning to theorise and generalise about text (which is called “textual analysis”) has become one of the greatest conveniences of my learning career. For better or worse, most of this stuff is learning that I acquired through bits and pieces, and empirical experimentation and deduction, through sheer use and experiences with language. Most poorly formulated […]
