Discovery Dispatch

Inside the fiercest debate in linguistics—Universal Grammar. Plus, why your brain can process short text messages so quickly.

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

Discovery Dispatch

Linguists unlock the grammar of music in language, and runes show that Elfdalian is its own language

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

Discovery Dispatch

Critics hate the new French dictionary, and linguists discover the universal language of pain

We’re also making progress on talking to aliens, and a new book on Proto-Indo-European is on its way. Here’s what happened this week in language and linguistics.

Discovery Dispatch

The writing on a recently-discovered tablet has linguists baffled, and GPT passes the Turing Test

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

Discovery Dispatch

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.

Discovery Dispatch

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.

Discovery Dispatch

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

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

World of Words

The etymology of “penguin”

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

World of Words

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?

Discovery Dispatch

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.

Discovery Dispatch

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.

World of Words

The etymology of "guacamole"

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