Do Inuit languages really have more words for snow? And why does it matter, anyway?
A new study shows that Inuit languages really do have more words for snow, but what does that tell us about language?
A new study shows that Inuit languages really do have more words for snow, but what does that tell us about language?
The Chitimacha language was once thought to be extinct, but today is undergoing a renaissance as young people learn the language again.
The earliest version of cuneiform wasn't used to write language at all—it was used to count! And that Sumerian system of counting still influences our counting systems today. Here's the story of Sumerian numerals.
Also this week: How playing a musical instrument helps children learn to read + Why AI is not like humans
Also this week: Smart dogs have a humanlike knack for naming new objects + Birds all over the world use the same sound to warn of threats + The Language-Lover’s Lexipedia
Also this week: The Linguistics of a Showgirl: How Taylor Swift’s accent has changed over time + We will soon be able to talk with other species—but which one will be first?
A sneak peek at Jess Zafarris’ new book, “Useless etymology: Word origins for curious minds”
Also this week: Jane Goodall dies at 91 + Merriam-Webster adds 5,000 words to the dictionary
A new book takes us on a linguistic odyssey through the history of the alphabet
Also this week: Bilingualism is reworking this language’s rainbow + How speaking in a second language directly affects your moral judgement
Also this week: The world’s oldest written languages, and a cool new book on etymology. Here’s what happened this week in language and linguistics.
What are the most frequent sounds across languages (and why)?
Also this week: Bilingualism is possible for people with a rare genetic condition that normally limits speech + Talk Like a Pirate Day is coming up! 🏴☠️ Here’s what happened this week in language and linguistics.
Also this week: How our DNA holds the history of our language + The Cambridge dictionary adds 6,000 new words—and not everybody’s happy about it. Here’s what happened this week in language and linguistics.
What the words “pumpkin spice” teach us about language change and indigenous history