The Character with No Sound
Before it was the linchpin of your email address, the @ symbol was a character without a sound, a silent mark on the page. This is the secret history of…
Tag: internet
The Linguistics of ‘Google It’: When Brands Become Verbs
Ever wonder how "Google" went from a company name to a common verb in our dictionary? This article explores the fascinating linguistic journey of brands that become household words, from…
The Alphabet of a Revolution: How N’Ko Is Uniting West Africa’s Languages
While many alphabets are ancient, the N'Ko script was born in 1949 from one man's defiant response to colonial prejudice. Created by Solomana Kante, this ingenious alphabet is perfectly tailored…
Who Owns Slang? The Complexities of Linguistic Gentrification in the Digital Age
From "on fleek" to "slay," words born in specific communities—particularly AAVE—often travel into the mainstream, where they're adopted by brands and influencers. This phenomenon, known as "linguistic gentrification," raises complex…
The Character with a Secret History: How a Roman Scribble Became the Ampersand
The ampersand (&) is more than a simple stand-in for "and"; it's a linguistic fossil with a secret history. This ubiquitous symbol began as a quick ligature by Roman scribes…
The Resurgence of Irish Gaelic: A Symbol of National Identity
Ireland’s native language, Irish Gaelic, has seen a fascinating resurgence in recent years. Like a mythical phoenix rising from its ashes, the language, known as...
The Linguistic Landscape: How Geography Influences Language
Languages are the threads that weave together the rich tapestry of human communication, understanding, and societal growth. As with many aspects of our lives, language...