Almost everyone uses language, so inevitably almost everyone thinks they are an expert in it. I don’t consider myself an expert, though most of my work requires at least language competence and sometimes actual skill, but I do follow the blogs featured on this feeds page.
(If you are wondering where the translation-related feeds have all gone, I have put them on their own page.)
Most of the blogs represented here are in English, most of the time, but don’t be surprised to find other languages used. Go with the flow – I occasionally find myself pleasantly surprised at how much I can grasp in languages I have never seen before.
Language On the Net
Language Log » Gaps inside adjunct phrases
Linguists have often assumed that the principles of English syntax do not allow a dependency between the head noun and the "gap" in a relative clause to span the boundaries of an adjunct such as a conditional if phrase. They will invent pairs of this sort to illustrate the ungrammatical results: I'm working with a man that I think you … [Link]
Urban Word of the Day » Runner's Boner
An erection that occurs during strenuous physical activity, specifically running. Although widely regarded as a mythical phenomenon, the release of endorphins during both exercise AND orgasm adds credibility to this "bigfoot" of penile erections. Detractors point to the common, contradictory phenomenon that is runner's penis. Still reeling in his post-marathon "high", Eric did not notice his runner's boner peaking out … [Link]
languagehat.com » Minging and Onkus.
An e-mail (thanks, Eric!) has informed me of the BBC series “Keep your English up to date,” pointing in particular to this post on the expressive word minging, originally ‘smelly, stinking’ and now more generally ‘disgusting; ugly, unattractive.’ I was familiar with the word, but pleased to hear it discussed by John Ayto (there’s an audio file accompanying the text), … [Link]
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