anatomy - LingoDigest

The Accent That Wasn’t Theirs: Inside the Baffling Neurological Mystery of Foreign Accent Syndrome

6 min read

Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS) is a baffling and rare medical condition where a person, typically after a stroke or brain injury, suddenly begins speaking their native language in what is perceived as a foreign accent. This isn’t a magical new skill but a profound disruption of the brain’s control over the rhythm and mechanics of speech. We explore the incredible human stories and the complex neurolinguistics behind this phenomenon, which challenges our very understanding of voice and identity.

Language And Music Culture Linguistics Phonetics

The Phonetics of Pop: Why Some Languages Are More “Singable” Than Others

6 min read

Ever wonder why Italian opera sounds so smooth or why English dominates the pop charts? The answer lies in the “phonetics of pop”—the specific sounds, rhythms, and structures of a language that make it inherently more “singable.” This dive into the linguistics of music explores why the secret to a hit song might just be hidden in its phonology.

Linguistic Typology Geography Linguistics Phonetics

The Pressure-Cooker Consonants: An Introduction to Ejectives

6 min read

Ejectives are a fascinating category of consonants found in languages from the Caucasus to the Americas. Made by building up air pressure in the mouth before releasing it in a sharp burst, these sounds give languages like Georgian and Quechua a distinct, percussive quality. This article explores the phonetic mechanics behind these “pressure-cooker” sounds and where you can hear them around the world.

Linguistics Science Phonetics Evolutionary Linguistics

The Descent of the Larynx: How a Quirky Evolutionary Shift Gave Humans the Power of Speech

6 min read

Human speech is a miracle of evolution, but it comes at a steep price. Our ability to form a rich variety of sounds is thanks to a descended larynx, a unique anatomical quirk that also makes us dangerously prone to choking. This post explores the high-stakes evolutionary gamble that gave our ancestors—and us—the power of language.