A semiweekly newsletter showcasing the diversity of the world’s languages. Articles cover the latest news and research in linguistics, deep dives about how language works, profiles of different languages, explainers of concepts in linguistics, reviews of language-focused books and media, and lots more! Some posts are only available to paid subscribers, but most are free.
World of Words
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.
World of Words
William Labov was the father of sociolinguistics who pioneered the study of dialectology.
World of Words
Why an apostrophe might determine the outcome of the U.S. presidential election.
World of Words
Writing was invented three different times in world history—in Mesopotamia, China, and Mesoamerica. But not all writing systems derive from those three original scripts. How can this be?
World of Words
Here are 3 things people get wrong about language.
World of Words
Linguistic Discovery explores the science and diversity of language, a field known as linguistics.
World of Words
Does "fruition" come from the word "fruit"?
World of Words
Why are dogs called ‘little horses’ in some Native American languages?
World of Words
A language isolate is a language that is unrelated to any other known language.
World of Words
Welcome to the new LinguisticDiscovery.com!
World of Words
A beautiful and engaging coffee table book of 122 dialect maps showing how different regions of the U.S. say different things. A wonderful illustration of dialect diversity in the United States, this book is sure to spark great conversations. A must-have for any language lover.