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 » Autonomous learning
I had never heard of this concept before, but apparently it is a hot topic, especially among government circles. On Wednesday, I spoke at this workshop: Application of the Autonomous Learning Environment in Foreign Language Education LEARN Workshop Date: Tuesday, July 28th and Wednesday, July 29th Loyola Columbia Graduate Center Columbia, MD The workshop was sponsored by the Federal Business … [Link]
languagehat.com » Thirteen Years of Languagehat.
As of today, it’s thirteen years since the first LH post. Amazin’, amazin’! (as Casey Stengel used to say); I vividly remember being surprised I made it to six months, at which point I hoped “to keep everyone entertained for at least another half-year.” The fact that the ship is still afloat is entirely due to the lively commentary provided … [Link]
Language Log » The International Linguistics Olympiad
From the news page at the LSA — "NACLO teams win nine medals at International Linguistics Olympiad": Two USA teams and one Canada team, each consisting of four high school students, won eight individual medals and a team medal at the 13th International Linguistics Olympiad, held July 20-24 in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. The USA contestants also took five of the top … [Link]
Urban Word of the Day » pre-wake
a party, held in honor of an ill individual expected to die soon, often a family member My mother in law has lung cancer so we held a pre-wake with all her family members from around the country.
[Link]
Language Log » How Mandarin became China's national language
K Chang asked: Possible topic for Prof Mair: Any one know what is this "Wang ts Joa" writing system, allegedly a topolect writing system for Chinese? Here's a specimen of the script in question, from imgur: 
The "Chinese" on the left side is not difficult to identify. It is the first two lines of ode no. 282 in the Poetry … [Link]
Language Log » Miswritten character on a Tokyo Metro sign
From Matthew Duggan: As a Tokyo resident, I take an interest in the failing ability of those in China and Japan to write and distinguish characters due to computer use. [VHM: See, inter alia, here, here, here, here, and here.] I could write 1,000 characters at my peak, but with constant computer use I’m down to my address and a … [Link]
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