Why is ‘You Guys’ a Pronoun Now?
Ever wonder how 'you guys' became the go-to way to address a group, even a group of women? This phrase isn't just slang; it's a fascinating example of language evolving…
Tag: australia
What is a Language Worth? The Economics of Extinction
Can you put a price tag on a language? This article explores the emerging field of linguistic valuation, where economists and lawyers attempt to calculate the monetary value of a…
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 of the Australian Aboriginal language Dyirbal, this wasn't a joke—it…
How to Count Without Numbers
What if you couldn't say "one", "two", or "three"? For anumeric cultures in the Amazon and beyond, this is a reality. Discover the ingenious, non-numerical strategies they use to navigate…
Speaking with Hands and Mouth
In central Australia, the Arandic peoples use a complex sign language alongside speech, a system developed for times when speech is taboo, like during mourning or hunting. This dual-modal language…
The World’s Smallest Languages: When a Language Has Fewer Than 10 Speakers
What happens when a language's entire world can fit into a single room? We explore the most extreme cases of language endangerment, from the Tolowa Dee-ni' in the US to…
Where is Esperanto Spoken?
Esperanto, the most successful constructed international auxiliary language, was invented in the late 19th century by L. L. Zamenhof with the intention of fostering harmony...