John Gordon Ross

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

languagehat.com » Urchin.

Wednesday 1 October 23:55:18 UTC 2014

I mentioned in this post, a few days ago, that I was starting The Manticore ; I have now almost finished it, and I continue to enjoy the odd bits of knowledge I’m picking up. For instance, a character’s remark that “Diarmuid began to call me Sir Edward, in reference to Marshall Hall” led me to learn about the striking career … [Link]

the world in words » A brief history of simultaneous interpretation, from the Nuremberg trials to now

Wednesday 1 October 21:26:54 UTC 2014

From left, Capt. Macintosh of the British Army translates from French into English, while Margot Bortlin translates from German into English and Lt. Ernest Peter Uiberall monitors the translations at the Nuremberg trials after World War II. (Photo courtesy of Francesca Gaiba) Here’s a post from Nina Porzucki. Lynn Visson was a UN interpreter during the height of the Cold War. … [Link]

Language Log » Must-read for Wednesday afternoon

Wednesday 1 October 20:23:10 UTC 2014

Josef Fruehwald, "America's Ugliest Accent: Something's ugly alright", Val Systems 10/1/2014. Update — See "The beauty of Brummie", 7/28/2004 — some quotes therein from Steve Thorne: In May 2002, I recorded short samples of 20 different accents of English… In order to limit the influence of extraneous variables, the speakers chosen were all male, white, aged between 35 and 40, … [Link]

Urban Word of the Day » Christmoween

Wednesday 1 October 7:30:00 UTC 2014

A dark time when Americans over-indulge and gain weight. Begins when the first Halloween candy is placed on store shelves, and doesn't end until the last of the Christmas candy goes on 75% markdown.(also spelled Chrismoween) I can't believe it — summer's not even over yet and the Halloween candy is already out. Christmoween comes earlier each year. … [Link]

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