The Shape of a Word: Intro to Word Embeddings
How does a computer understand that "king" is to "queen" as "man" is to "woman"? We dive into the magic of word embeddings, a powerful technique that turns words into…
Tag: cognition
The Brain’s Filing Cabinet: What is a Lemma?
Ever had a word on the tip of your tongue? This frustrating moment is a perfect window into the brain's speech production system, and it all comes down to a…
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 as linguistic exogamy, creates entire communities where multilingualism isn't just…
Are There Any Absolute Language Universals?
For decades, linguists have searched for features shared by all 7,000+ human languages, a quest for a "Universal Grammar." But from languages that may lack nouns to those that challenge…
The Vowel’s Shadow: Parasitic Vowels
Have you ever wondered why some non-native speakers say "espeak" for "speak"? This isn't just an error, but a linguistic phenomenon called epenthesis, where a "parasitic vowel" is inserted. This…
Can You Learn Two Romance Languages at Once?
It’s a tempting thought for any language enthusiast: why not learn Spanish and Italian at the same time? Their shared roots and melodic similarities make it seem like a 2-for-1…
Learning a Language with Dyslexia
Learning a new language with dyslexia can feel overwhelming, but it is entirely possible with the right approach. This guide offers compassionate advice and multi-sensory strategies that bypass traditional text-heavy…
Does Learning a Language Prevent Dementia?
The claim that learning a language can prevent dementia is popular, but what does the science say? While it doesn't stop the underlying disease, compelling evidence shows that the mental…
The Ultimate Language Journal Guide
Think a language journal is just for vocabulary lists? Think again. We'll show you how to transform a simple notebook into a powerful, personalized super-tool for tracking progress, mastering tricky…
The Best Way to Learn a Language in Your Car
Turn your daily commute from a black hole of wasted time into your most effective language lab. We compare the best audio-based methods like Pimsleur and podcasts, focusing on which…
The Truth About the ‘Critical Period’
Is it too late to become fluent once you're an adult? We debunk the persistent myth of the 'critical period' for language learning and explore the surprising truth. Discover the…
Why Your Language Learning Has Plateaued
Feeling stuck in your language learning journey? You're not alone. The intermediate plateau is a common hurdle where progress seems to stop, but it's not a dead end. We explore…
Learning a Language with ADHD: A Guide
For those with ADHD, the initial excitement of learning a new language often gives way to frustration, but it doesn't have to be that way. This guide offers specific, brain-friendly…
The Real Reason You’re Bad at Languages
Have you ever thought you just don't have the "language gene"? The truth is, your struggles likely have nothing to do with your age or talent, but everything to do…
The Best Language Learning Subreddits
Reddit can be a powerful ally on your language learning journey, but only if you know where to look. We've sifted through the countless communities to bring you the definitive…
The Truth About Learning a Language While Sleeping
The dream of learning a language while you sleep is alluring, but is it just science fiction? We dive into the real neuroscience to reveal that while you can't learn…
The Polyglot’s Reading Method
Ever felt the frustration of reading in a new language, constantly stopping for a dictionary until you lose the plot? Polyglots use a different strategy, one that transforms reading from…
Why Korean is Easier Than You Think
Intimidated by the angular characters and unfamiliar sounds of Korean? You shouldn't be. Contrary to its complex appearance, the Korean alphabet, Hangul, is hailed as one of the most brilliant…
The Most Beautiful Words in Spanish (That Don’t Exist in English)
From the lazy, cherished conversation after a meal to the specific joy of wearing something for the first time, the Spanish language has single words for concepts English needs a…
Your Guide to Spanish Music & Dance
From the raw, emotional communication of a Flamenco performance to the unified circle of a Catalan Sardana, Spain's cultural identity is written in its music and dance. This guide explores…