France’s Base-20 Math Problem
Why do the French say 'four-twenties' for 80? This linguistic quirk is a fascinating relic from a base-20 counting system that has puzzled language learners for generations. We delve into…
Tag: cultural influence
Biography of a Word: The Journey of ‘Assassin’
Discover the dramatic history of the word 'assassin,' a term born from a mysterious medieval sect in the mountains of Persia. Journey with Marco Polo as he spreads their sensational…
The Role of the Italian Language in Opera
The influence of the Italian language in opera is profound and far-reaching. As the birthplace of this magnificent form of art, Italy has shaped opera’s...
English Words of Suprising Origin – Part I
The English language is a kaleidoscope of cultural influence, where words from different corners of the world have found a home. With its global reach,...
Spanish in Africa: The Story of Equatorial Guinea
Among the languages spoken across the vast continent of Africa, Spanish has a unique and intriguing tale. Unlike English, French, and Portuguese, which are commonly...
The Impact of Indigenous Languages on Spanish in Latin America
When the Spanish conquest began in the 15th century, the Latin American landscape was a vast mosaic of diverse indigenous communities, each with their unique...