Newsletter
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
Newsletter
A semiweekly newsletter showcasing the diversity of the world’s languages. Articles include 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.
Newsletter
Your cryptogram is lying to you—/t/ isn’t the most frequent consonant in English
What are the most frequent sounds across languages (and why)?
Newsletter
Pumpkin Spice Linguistics
What the words “pumpkin spice” teach us about language change and indigenous history
Newsletter
Revitalizing a dormant language from 80-year-old manuscripts
How archival manuscripts are helping revitalize the Chitimacha language of Louisiana
Newsletter
What to do when someone corrects your pronunciation
Some strategies for educating people about linguistics
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How are new languages created? The linguistics of “The Iron Dreamers”, Part 4
Pidgins, creoles, and mixed languages
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Are some languages more complex than others? The linguistics of “The Iron Dreamers”, Part 3
Do languages get simpler over time? Could they get more complex?
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Are we stuck with the same grammar for life? The linguistics of “The Iron Dreamers”, Part 2
How does your grammar change over the course of your lifetime?
Newsletter
Why do languages change? The linguistics of “The Iron Dreamers”, Part 1
Could a language stay frozen in time?
Newsletter
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?
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You probably missed this in Song of Achilles
Also, here’s what Patroclus and Cleopatra have in common
Newsletter
Why English needs “y’all”
Why doesn’t English just have a plural “you” like other languages?