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 » In the weeds
J.K. Trotter, "Ben Smith and Jonah Peretti: The Gawker Interview", 4/22/2015 (From Ben Zimmer, who picked it up from Sebastian Stockman on Twitter — emphasis added): Keenan: They’re running the Pepsi Twitter account? Ben (to Jonah): Yes. Is that exactly accurate? I’m not in the weeds in this, but they had been— Jonah: They had been making content for Pepsi. … [Link]
Language Log » Crimes against English
Sign on the front door at the Taitung County District Prosecutors Office in Taiwan (via Kerim Friedman): 
This is from an article in Want China Times (4/21/15): "Taitung prosecutors indicted for crimes against English" qǐng xiǎoxīn tiānyǔ lùhuá 請小心天雨路滑 ("please be careful on rainy days [since] the road becomes slippery" > "slippery when wet") The article correctly points out that … [Link]
World Wide Words: Updates » New online: Ilk
The phrase 'of that ilk' still bothers some language purists. [Link]
World Wide Words: Updates » New online: Fowler's Modern English Usage, Fourth Edition
Review of the new edition of 'Fowler's Modern English Usage'. [Link]
World Wide Words: Updates » New online: Skint
'Skint', meaning broke, comes from a surprising source. [Link]
Language Log » Rising sun
James Madison, "Notes on the Debates in the Federal Convention", Tuesday September 17, 1787: Whilst the last members [of the Constitutional Convention] were signing [the final document], Doctr. FRANKLIN looking towards the Presidents Chair, at the back of which a rising sun happened to be painted, observed to a few members near him, that Painters had found it difficult to … [Link]
Urban Word of the Day » Pray punt
To offer prayer as a concrete solution to a problem. To, literally, run the issue "up the ladder" and wait for God to figure it out, thereby relieving you of taking any real action. I asked the director off my daughter's school if we could switch teachers. She smiled and told me she would pray about it. She totally pray … [Link]
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