Exploring the science and diversity of language!

When did humans develop language? + How whistle languages work

When language evolved, how whistled languages work, and what alien languages might be like. Here’s what happened this week in language and linguistics.

Bonobos combine their vocalizations the way humans combine words—a trait once thought unique to humans

Bonobos challenge the uniqueness of human language, penguins learn etymology, and China adopts a new gender-neutral pronoun. Here’s what happened this week in language and linguistics.

The sad passing of Kanzi, penguin etymology, and what “fixin’ to” / “finna” mean

Here’s what happened this week in language and linguistics.

The etymology of “penguin”

Where does the word “penguin” come from? French, Welsh, or Latin?

Did Kanzi the bonobo understand language?

Kanzi the bonobo, who learned language, made stone tools, and played Minecraft, dies at age 44. What can his remarkable linguistic abilities teach us about language?

How hypothetical are protolanguages?

How hypothetical are protolanguages? How did the Indo-Europeans spread? What does conversation look like in the brain? Here’s what happened this week in language and linguistics.

Gestures can counteract subtle stereotypes introduced by language

This week I discuss the growth of science communication in linguistics, plus how simple gestures can counteract subtle linguistic biases.

The etymology of "guacamole"

Where do the words “avocado” and “guacamole” come from?

Babies can learn multiple languages from birth—and they’ll slow the onset of dementia if they do

Babies can learn multiple languages from birth—and they’ll slow the onset of dementia if they do. Here’s what happened this week in language and linguistics.

The linguistics of Trump’s official English policy

Trump issued an executive order making English the official language of the U.S.—sort of. Here’s what that order does, and what language in the U.S. looks like today.

gen z loves lowercase, but they’re losing their southern drawl

gen z loves lowercase, but they’re losing their southern drawl. meanwhile trump makes english the official language (sort of).

1,000 subscribers! 🎉 And did Proto-Indo-European have SOV word order?

The Linguistic Discovery newsletter just reached 1,000 subscribers! 🎉 And linguist Danny L. Bate suggests that Proto-Indo-European didn’t have Subject-Object-Verb word order after all.