Americans aren’t known for their linguistic prowess, and the newest Jason Bourne movie (creatively titled Jason Bourne) reinforces that stereotype. Gott im Himmel! I saw the movie a few nights ago and walked out of the theater knowing that I had to write about it. I’m not a movie reviewer, but I do run a […]
How to Use “Literally”
Do you want to learn how to use literally? Even though it’s a black-and-white issue for many word nerds, it can be tricky. The long-useful adverb (and, more recently, awkward intensifier) has several definitions: in the strict (literal) sense: What does “déjà vu” mean literally? in a strict (literal) manner; word for word: The beginning language […]
Regional Languages of France [Infographic]
The regional languages spoken in France tell a rich story. From Breton, a Celtic tongue, to Corsican, a cousin of Italian, France’s regional languages are at the center of a fierce debate over cultural identity and national unity. These languages aren’t just central to local culture. They also teach us about migration, conquest, cultural assimilation, and language […]
Other Names for Assault Rifles Mask What They Are
Are there other names for assault rifles besides assault rifles? In the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting, pundits are talking a lot about guns. Are American gun laws too lax? Do we have a culture that glorifies violence? Should certain weapons be kept out of the hands of the public? Other names for assault […]
The Number of Languages Spoken in the US [Infographic]
Here’s a great question to ask your friends at the bar: How many languages are spoken in the US? Think of a number between 1 and 500. (Hint: It’s closer to 500 than it is to 1.) How Many Languages Are Spoken in the US? So just how many languages are spoken in America? Were […]
How Many Languages Are Spoken in the US? [Infographic]
Quick—guess how many languages are spoken in the US. Did you say two? (English and Spanish probably come to mind for most people.) Did you say 10? (Hey, you’re cultured—you lived in New York for a couple of years and you can name the immigrant communities there.) A few dozen? (You’re getting warmer, but you’re […]
English Is Shrinking: Word Extinction in the Digital Age
English Is Shrinking, Study Finds Proof that English is shrinking? The term röntgenogram has been killed off by its lexical competitor x-ray. English is shrinking, and so are Spanish and Hebrew, according to a recent study on language evolution published in Scientific Reports, a primary research publication from the publishers of Nature. Using data from […]
Pros and Cons of Google Translate
Do you know what the pros and cons of Google Translate are? Spoiler alert: the cons are more serious. Note: This post was updated on November 23, 2016. Google Translate is very appealing. And I say this as the owner of a translation company. There are implications for language professionals, of course. But the tool’s pluses and minuses […]
Compound Word Stress: Why a Black Bird Isn’t Always a Blackbird
Compound word stress may not seem obvious. Words such as blackbird and black bird may look similar, but their stress patterns and meaning are different. If you’re a native English speaker, accenting certain words in your speech comes naturally to you. But if you’re not a native English speaker, stress patterns might not be obvious. Take compound […]
Xander Bogaerts Speaks Four Languages
A minor league player before playing for the Red Sox, Xander Bogaerts speaks four languages. (“Xander Bogaerts on March 2, 2013.jpg” by Trevor Grieve is licensed under CC BY 3.0.) Did you know that Xander Bogaerts speaks four languages? A native of Aruba, the 21-year-old ballplayer speaks Dutch, English, Spanish, and Papiamento. While his language […]