Linguistics

The Grammar of ‘Went’: A Tale of Suppletion

Why isn't the past tense of "go" *goed*? The answer lies in a fascinating linguistic phenomenon called suppletion, where a…

3 weeks ago

AI’s Word Boundary Problem

To a computer, what exactly is a "word"? This seemingly simple question opens up the "word boundary problem", a surprisingly…

3 weeks ago

Linguistic Passing: The Adopted Accent

Linguistic passing is the conscious act of adopting a new accent, not just to blend in, but to gain social…

3 weeks ago

The Grammar of “Chit-Chat”: Reduplication

From the simple 'bye-bye' in English to the Indonesian *wiku-wiku* (very fast), repeating words is a powerful tool found in…

3 weeks ago

Apraxia: The Brain’s Broken Speech Plan

Apraxia of speech is a mysterious neurological condition where the brain knows the perfect word but can't send the right…

3 weeks ago

Verner’s Law: The Glitch in the System

Grimm's Law neatly explains many sound changes from ancient Proto-Indo-European to Germanic languages, but puzzling exceptions remained a mystery for…

3 weeks ago

The Wanderwort: Words That Travel the World

Explore the fascinating world of "Wanderwörter", or wandering words—terms for tradeable goods like tea, sugar, and silk that crossed entire…

3 weeks ago

The Verbal Compass: How Rivers Define Direction

Forget North and South. For speakers of some languages, the entire world is oriented not by a magnetic pole, but…

3 weeks ago

Five-Star Lies: The Linguistics of Fake Reviews

Ever wondered if that glowing five-star review is too good to be true? This article delves into the fascinating world…

3 weeks ago

The Language of Avoidance: In-Law Tongues

Imagine having to learn a completely separate vocabulary just to be in the same room as your mother-in-law. For speakers…

3 weeks ago

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