Sociolinguistics

The Diplomacy of ‘You’: T-V Distinction Beyond French

The difference between France’s tu and vous is a classic challenge for language learners, but this formal and informal 'you'…

4 months ago

Vocal Fry: A Generational Sound Change in Progress

That low, creaky sound known as vocal fry has become a source of intense cultural debate, often dismissed as a…

4 months ago

The Birth of a Creole: The Case of Haitian Creole

How is a new language born? We trace the fascinating genesis of Haitian Creole, showing how elements of French vocabulary…

4 months ago

The Great ‘Um’ Debate: Are Filler Words a Flaw?

We're often told to eliminate words like 'um' and 'uh' from our speech, but are they really a sign of…

4 months ago

Why You ‘Talk’ to Your Pet: The Grammar of Anthro-Speak

Ever wonder why you talk to your pet in a high-pitched, sing-song voice? This unique way of communicating, known as…

4 months ago

The Data Drought: Why Some Languages Are Invisible to AI

Why can AI translate French perfectly but struggles with Navajo or Swahili? The answer lies in the "data drought", a…

4 months ago

Linguistic Exogamy: Marrying Out to Survive

In certain Amazonian societies, there's a strict rule: you cannot marry someone who speaks your own language. This practice, known…

4 months ago

Gender-Neutral Pronouns in Romance

Grammatical gender is a core feature of Romance languages, making gender-neutral expression a complex puzzle. Yet, from the rise of…

4 months ago

How Roman Soldiers Spread Their Language

The spread of Latin wasn't just the work of poets and senators; it was carried across Europe on the hobnailed…

4 months ago

The Most Spoken Romance Languages Today

Ever wonder which child of Latin reigns supreme? We dive into the numbers, comparing the world's most spoken Romance languages…

4 months ago

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