Category Archives: language

How language shapes the way we think | Lera Boroditsky

Posted on September 22, 2019 by

There are about 7,000 languages spoken around the world — and they all have different sounds, vocabularies and structures. But do they shape the way we think? Cognitive scientist Lera Boroditsky shares examples of language — from an Aboriginal community … Continue reading →

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Language Both Enraptures and Deceives Us – Nautilus

Posted on September 22, 2019 by

The purpose of language is to reveal the contents of our minds, says Julie Sedivy. It’s a simple and profound insight. We are social animals and language is what springs us from our isolated selves and connects us with others. … Continue reading →

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Jamaican Patois (NOT English!)

Posted on August 31, 2019 by

Langfocus Published on 14 Jul 2019 This video is all about Jamaican Patois, aka Jamaican Creole, the English-based creole language of Jamaica. Special thanks to Irina Bruce and Derrick Ricketts for their feedback and help with the Patois samples in … Continue reading →

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Could we speak the language of dolphins? | Denise Herzing

Posted on May 11, 2019 by

For 28 years, Denise Herzing has spent five months each summer living with a pod of Atlantic spotted dolphins, following three generations of family relationships and behaviors. It’s clear they are communicating with one another — but is it language? … Continue reading →

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5 Of The Weirdest Languages In The World | Random Thursday

Posted on March 16, 2019 by

From sounds that literally damage your vocal cords to a language that’s entirely whistled, these are 5 of the strangest, quirkiest languages in the world.

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This Man Can Pronounce Every Word in the Dictionary

Posted on February 8, 2019 by

Great Big Story Published on 21 Aug 2018 Pop quiz. Try pronouncing the following. Ready? Go. Elucubrate. Smaragdine. Scherenschnitte. Head scratchers, huh? Not for Jacques Bailly. As the official pronouncer of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, he can tackle any … Continue reading →

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The Origins and Evolution of Language | Michael Corballis | TEDxAuckland

Posted on January 13, 2019 by

Nearly everybody can communicate, and most do so through some form of language, and yet the question of where language came from is one of the most difficult questions in science. Psychologist and author, Michael Corballis explores the many theories … Continue reading →

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Why languages and dialects really are different animals

Posted on January 13, 2019 by

Admirers of Josip Broz Tito from all over the former Yugoslavia convene in Belgrade on the occasion of the late marshal’s birthday. Photo by Andrej Isakovic/AFP/Getty   Søren Wichmann is a Danish linguist affiliated with Leiden University in the Netherlands, Kazan … Continue reading →

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The benefits of a bilingual brain – Mia Nacamulli

Posted on January 1, 2019 by

It’s obvious that knowing more than one language can make certain things easier — like traveling or watching movies without subtitles. But are there other advantages to having a bilingual (or multilingual) brain? Mia Nacamulli details the three types of … Continue reading →

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Etymology and surprising origins of words

Posted on November 12, 2018 by

Learn about etymology, the study of word origins and derivations in historical linguistics, and the influence of a Proto-Indoeuropean (PIE) language in the formation of modern languages in Europe, Russia, and Asia. Highlighted is how etymologists have come up with … Continue reading →

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