What Are Linguistic ‘Hedge’ Words?
Words like "maybe," "sort of," and "I think" do more than just express uncertainty. They are powerful linguistic tools known as "hedges," which we use to be polite, manage social…
Unlocking the Universe of Languages
Words like "maybe," "sort of," and "I think" do more than just express uncertainty. They are powerful linguistic tools known as "hedges," which we use to be polite, manage social…
Often dismissed as verbal stumbles, filler words like "um," "like," or "pues" are far more than just speech errors. They are sophisticated linguistic tools that help us manage conversations, signal…
Ever wonder why we say "Could you possibly pass the salt?" instead of just "Pass the salt"? This isn't just arbitrary fluff; it's a high-speed mental calculation explained by Politeness…
The concept of "face" (้ขๅญ, ์ฒด๋ฉด, ใกใณใ) is a cornerstone of social interaction in East Asia, deeply encoded in language. This post explores the intricate linguistic dance of indirectness, honorifics,…
Have you ever found yourself saying "please" and "thank you" to a chatbot or voice assistant? This is the ELIZA effect, our tendency to unconsciously attribute human-like intelligence and empathy…