> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://linguisticdiscovery.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # When words look like their meaning, we process them faster - URL: https://linguisticdiscovery.com/posts/2026-21/ - Published: 2026-05-30T09:00:55.000Z - Updated: 2026-05-31T00:54:01.000Z - Description: Also this week: Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome to a Eurovision Song Contest that embraces linguistic diversity + Linguists are mapping Rhode Island’s linguistic diversity - Author: Daniel W. Hieber, Ph.D. - Tags: Current Linguistics, lavender linguistics, etymology, Rhode Island, psycholinguistics, Mohawk, LLMs, Rongorongo, history of writing, first language acquistion Welcome to this week’s edition of *Discovery Digest*, a weekly roundup of the latest language-related news, research in linguistics, interesting reads from the week, and newest books and other media dealing with language and linguistics! Not yet a subscriber? Sign up below! (It's free!) Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. ## 📢 Updates & Announcements *Announcements and what’s new with me and Linguistic Discovery.* ### Joining Phi Beta Kappa, the United States’ oldest academic honor society ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/2026/05/image-12.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/2026/05/image-13.png) Me being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa by Prof. George Greenia at the College of William & Mary last week Last week I was incredibly honored to be inducted as an alumnus into Phi Beta Kappa (PBK), the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society. Founded in 1776 at the College of William & Mary (my alma mater), PBK celebrates excellence in the liberal arts and sciences and champions freedom of thought and the value of liberal arts and sciences education. PBK’s motto is: > Love of learning is the guide to life. In line with this sentiment, I was nominated by George Greenia, Professor Emeritus of Medieval & Renaissance Studies, as well as several faculty in the Department of Linguistics, for my public scholarship in linguistics. I am truly humbled, to say the least, and excited to continue contributing to lifelong learning about linguistics for the general public. You can learn more about Phi Beta Kappa at their website: [Phi Beta KappaAs America’s most prestigious honor society, Phi Beta Kappa has celebrated excellence in the liberal arts & sciences and championed free thought since 1776.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/icon/icon-06-hover@2x-ed6cbf23cb456ba45d875c675758fed6f9f06b350cced01b60f7fcf234b3f08c.png)Phi Beta Kappa![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/thumbnail/PBK-NEW-TwitterCard-a06d65193be3c8c96956fc2a8a44a3e1c61232941f1248c6b4b758c28912bfcb.png)](https://www.pbk.org/?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) ### 🎁 Now you can buy gift subscriptions! The Linguistic Discovery website now allows you to buy gift subscriptions! It’s a great way to give the language lover in your life something fun and interesting that will change the way they think about language! Purchase a subscription here: [🎁 Gift a subscription!](#/portal/gift) ## 🆕 New from Linguistic Discovery *This week’s content from Linguistic Discovery.* ### 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Lavender Linguistics: Learning to live out loud ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/2026/05/IMG_1209.JPEG) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/2026/05/IMG_2821.JPEG) Me giving the commencement talk at the Lavender Celebration at the College of William & Mary In addition to giving the commencement talk for the linguistics department at the College of William & Mary in Virginia (my alma mater) last week, I was also asked to give the keynote for this year’s Lavender Celebration, a graduation ceremony honoring and recognizing LGBTQ+ graduates of the university. This week’s issue of the newsletter is a transcript of that speech. In it, I teach the kiddos about Polari and the history of queer language. [Lavender Linguistics: Learning to live out loudOn Polari and the history of queer language![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Linguistic DiscoveryDaniel W. Hieber, Ph.D.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/thumbnail/banner-cd9ec3ee32768bc6d3812f35b8c975f4295ca3e8d2e73abd134ad6fcfd38bf4c.png)](https://linguisticdiscovery.com/posts/lavender-celebration/) ### Etymology: *azure* ### ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/2026/05/image-14-1.png) [Danny Hieber, Ph.D. (@linguisticdiscovery) on ThreadsThe color “azure” takes its name from the Persian word “lazward”. The initial /l/ disappeared because English borrowed the word from French, where speakers mistook the /l/ for the contracted definite article “l’ (le)”. Yet you can still see the /l/ in the Latin term “lapis lazuli”, literally ‘stone of azure’. #etymology #linguistics #language![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Threads![](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/380965313_299589562694984_4986295180060593562_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s640x640_tt6&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6InByb2ZpbGVfcGljLmRqYW5nby4xMDgwLmMyIn0&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=Q6cZ2gH9PYqWLTwq-jQxoko4MB7jMz5Vqp5_nXLorZ9eZ_yZuG4Ize7cV5M9eix3lr4A7UI&_nc_ohc=-oqbaOnVvQsQ7kNvwGACquw&_nc_gid=MvhciXqXeg3AmJYlZZGHdQ&edm=APs17CUBAAAA&ccb=7-5&oh=00_Af4vS8v0LsyJA9SVFKOvc2qHhJfgzRclqqBxfq-bMSKfbw&oe=6A1BAA34&_nc_sid=10d13b)](https://www.threads.com/@linguisticdiscovery/post/DYxKxDsDpzu?xmt=AQG0vSmjWOfPqc%5FcZGZHWZJPob-OAc51Uj-0lRocvA1Z2Tc&ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) ## 📰 In the News *Language and linguistics in the news.* ### Mapping Rhode Island’s linguistic diversity ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/2026/05/image-15.png) A new research project at the University of Rhode Island seeks to map Rhode Island’s linguistic diversity: [New linguistic professor putting Rhode Island on the language mapKINGSTON, R.I. – April 29, 2026 – Moving from Texas to Rhode Island, a new faculty member in the University of Rhode Island’s College of Education says Rhode Island’s language diversity extends far beyond the state’s diminutive size. The lead author of a new article examining the linguistic landscapes in Rhode Island and along the \[…\]![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180-448e08a3b7da2feabf387de2f6880b7dd2802ada39c25ca490e55e03d8820cee.png)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/thumbnail/preferred-RI-lang-map-9fcd4134e2aaf6400db57b54b50aff57f12d532642647b761d04f0ad444ee169.jpg)](https://www.uri.edu/news/2026/04/new-linguistic-professor-putting-rhode-island-on-the-language-map/?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) ## 🗞️ Current Linguistics *Recently published research in linguistics.* ### When words look like their meaning, we process them faster Sometimes written words look vaguely like the thing they represent: *bed* looks kind of like a bed; *blizzard* looks somewhat chaotic. This is called **iconicity**, and new research suggests that the more iconic a written word is, the faster we process it when reading. [When words look like their meaning, we process them faster, new research revealsBubble, hoop, wiggle, bed: Some words bear an uncanny resemblance to the shape of the object or action they describe. And we tend to process them faster.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)The ConversationDavid Sidhu![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/thumbnail/file-20260512-57-irpec1-19b26a5580879c0f2299c6ceb3654912b9f28dd7938405f117fb512cbe11e1f7.jpg)](https://theconversation.com/when-words-look-like-their-meaning-we-process-them-faster-new-research-reveals-282228?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) - Sidhu. 2026\. The word “bed” looks like a bed: Orthographic iconicity in English. *Cognition* 274: 106550\. DOI: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2026.106550](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2026.106550?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com). ## 📃 This Week’s Reads *Interesting articles I’ve come across this week.* A member of Canada’s Mohawk community devised a new method to teach their highly endangered language, with glowing success. The article describes the method as the “Rosetta Stone” for endangered languages, which is funny for me because I actually helped make the Rosetta Stone language learning software for Mohawk back in the late 00’s! Other reads I came across this week: [Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome to a Eurovision Song Contest that embraces linguistic diversityEnglish has long dominated pop music, but it no longer reigns supreme at the Eurovision Song Contest.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-23573dba0752d2357dbff63e4d0d17a3d4c25073b3c0744adcc8e705f25b7f2f.png)AP NewsJill Lawless![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/thumbnail/90-e41c72e7f189a33a3444f771fa431b10459ab4975ab08cf801bf80cb4b921ef9)](https://apnews.com/article/eurovision-song-contest-languages-e666a561598d8fe4a2242960b92b65d3?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) [It takes a body to understand the world – why ChatGPT and other language AIs don’t know what they’re sayingLarge language models can’t understand language the way humans do because they can’t perceive and make sense of the world.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)The ConversationArthur Glenberg![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/thumbnail/file-20230405-26-gjfzk5-c9cf813356bd200df52715755cc966fa091df7704e601e363795dbeb5c587772.jpg)](https://theconversation.com/it-takes-a-body-to-understand-the-world-why-chatgpt-and-other-language-ais-dont-know-what-theyre-saying-201280?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) [The Rongorongo script: Easter Island’s indecipherable enigmaThe lost writing system from the world’s most remote civilisation![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/icon/icon-c9696b80065084321442a0fcf3c51bef6ccf24adf0240f5d94f08ba97271e7c5.svg)World PoliticsWorld Politics![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/thumbnail/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F7ea805c8-b6fc-4e75-a5a0-9f6a552d6f23_1368x570-9497809ec6db4f34e12ff14420a40a5e71fdd9fdb53633c81c40b0aca3b016a8.png)](https://open.substack.com/pub/worldpolitics/p/rongorongo-script-easter-island) [What Language Is Spoken in the Philippines? - Rosetta StoneDo you know what language is spoken in the Philippines? There are more than you think! Discover the most important languages of the Philippines.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Rosetta StoneAlexa Bevan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/thumbnail/what-language-is-spoken-in-the-philippines_2407455557-1-23f6a0f58673651c8215fb1daba79cedd5412733425eadd3029634c4d1151a1f.jpg)](https://blog.rosettastone.com/what-language-is-spoken-in-the-philippines/?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) ## 📚 Books & Media *New (and old) books and media touching on language and linguistics.* ### *Why Q needs U*—U.S. edition! ### ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/2026/05/image-17.png) [Amazon](https://amzn.to/4myXr6X?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) | [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/110785/9781785307447?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) Danny Bate’s excellent book, *Why Q needs U: A history of our letters and how we use them* ([Amazon](https://amzn.to/4myXr6X?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) | [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/110785/9781785307447?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com)), was such a sensation across the pond in the UK that the publisher decided to release a US edition as well! So now you can procure a copy of the book from US sellers: - [Amazon](https://amzn.to/4myXr6X?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) - [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/110785/9781785307447?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) Here’s the description from the publisher: > Why does W sound like “double U”? > > What has the letter Q got to do with monkeys? > > Why are the two C’s in circus pronounced differently? > > What’s the point of the second N in the author’s first name, *Danny*? > > And why does Q need to be followed by U? > > *Every letter you’re reading right now has a fascinating story to tell, having been on a long linguistic, historical, political and social journey.* > > In *Why Q Needs U*, linguist Danny Bate takes readers on a fascinating odyssey through the English alphabet, diving into history, archaeology, politics and linguistics to discover where we get our writing from. Sharing fun facts and revealing the alphabet’s hidden mechanisms, he explains where we get our letters from and why the English language uses them so strangely, including:why a silent final E turns *hop* into *hope*how five English letters come from a single graphic grandparentwhy there is an L in *salmon* and a K in *know*how we may know the specific person who invented the letter Gwhy Z is the sixth letter for the Greeks, yet the last letter for us > > Explaining - and defending - the peculiar way English today uses our ancient letters, Bate’s witty and entertaining book will help readers spot connections in languages across the world and inspire a newfound sense of wonder for the letters we use every day. If you want to read a more extensive excerpt, author Danny Bate kindly contributed a guest post to the Linguistic Discovery newsletter which you can read here: [Where does the alphabet come from? And why does English use it so strangely?A new book takes us on a linguistic odyssey through the history of the alphabet![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Linguistic DiscoveryDanny Bate![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/thumbnail/cover-db94d6e3162c2df741eca04ef98a016ab7d5f311bc4899521e2585b857f61753.png)](https://linguisticdiscovery.com/posts/why-q-needs-u/) ### *Beyond words: How we learn, use, and lose language* This new book on how children learn language comes out next week! ([Amazon](https://amzn.to/4uwDelt?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com)) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/2026/05/image-18.png) [Amazon](https://amzn.to/4uwDelt?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) ## 👋🏼 Till next week! This is accurate I fear ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/75/c775a216-7ca2-4c5f-96a7-f2defe0fd756/content/images/2026/05/image-19.png) 📚 The Amazon and Bookshop links on this site are affiliate links, which means that I earn a small commission from those companies for purchases made through them (at no extra cost to you). If you’d like to support Linguistic Discovery, purchasing through these links is a great way to do so! I greatly appreciate your support! [Check out my Amazon storefront here.](https://www.amazon.com/shop/linguisticdiscovery?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com) [Check out my Bookshop storefront here.](https://bookshop.org/shop/linguisticdiscovery?ref=linguisticdiscovery.com)