rhetoric

Linguistics of the Perfect Apology

Why do some apologies work while others fail spectacularly? An apology is a complex linguistic performance with its own "grammar,"…

3 weeks ago

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…

3 weeks ago

The Calculus of Politeness

Ever wonder why we say "Could you possibly pass the salt?" instead of just "Pass the salt"? This isn't just…

3 weeks ago

The Grammar of Propaganda: How Language Builds Tyranny

Long before "fake news," propagandists mastered linguistic manipulation, weaponizing the very structure of language to build consensus and justify atrocity.…

3 weeks ago

The Comma That Rules a Nation

The U.S. Second Amendment's meaning hinges on a single, hotly debated comma. This grammatical ambiguity has fueled a centuries-long battle…

3 weeks ago

The Hidden Verbs of Persuasion: How Advertising Language Gets Inside Your Head

Every word in an advertisement is chosen with surgical precision. Beyond marketing psychology, specific linguistic tricks—from "weasel words" like 'helps'…

3 weeks ago

The Agent and the Patient: How Transitivity Shapes Blame and Responsibility

Who broke the window? The choice between saying "The boy broke the window" and "The window broke" is more than…

3 weeks ago

The Power of a Question: How Linguistic Manipulation Shapes Police Confessions

A confession can seem like the most straightforward form of evidence, but the language used to obtain it is incredibly…

3 weeks ago

Language Stories: “Up With This, I Will Not Put”

In the annals of linguistic anecdotes, few stories are as enduring, entertaining or illuminating as the exchange attributed to the…

2 years ago

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