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 » An unusual way to celebrate
In the running for attachment ambiguity of the week is a photo caption from Simon Johnson and Ben Hirschler, "Beating Parasites wins three scientists Nobel Prize for medicine", Reuters 10/5/2015: 
The caption: William C. Campbell, a parasitologist and RISE Associate with Drew University, poses near paintings he made of parasites shortly after learning that he was a co-winner of the … [Link]
Language Log » Looking over pronouns
Henry Thompson wonders (by email) whether something is changing in English syntax: This from a 30ish native speaker of American English, with a PhD, definitely literate. "I had a quick glance at sections of the [xxx], and it does have some good tips, so I'd encourage you to look over it:" The issue is whether a verb-associated intransitive preposition goes … [Link]
Urban Word of the Day » Crash Your Squad
When someone is new, or hasn't found their group yet, a group lets them hang with them until they make friends. New Kid: Hey can I hang with you guys?Squad Leader: Sure, and we made plans for later if you wanna hang New Kid: Thanks for letting me crash your squad, dude.
[Link]
Language Log » Lost and found
In the 10/4/15 issue of the Chicago Tribune, Eric Zorn has a sympathetic look at Chinglish: "Cultural sensitivity lost — and found — in translation". He offers the following sign at a museum near Datong as a prime specimen: 
The Chinese reads: qǐng wù fānyuè, zhùyì ānquán 请勿翻越 注意安全 ("please do not cross over, pay attention to safety") In truth, … [Link]
languagehat.com » Russian Language Gets ‘Import Substitution’.
An acerbic and amusing Moscow Times column by Michele Berdy starts with her “daily dose of nuts”: a video of a Russian schoolteacher telling her students that Holy Rus was “inhabited by godlike men called богатыри (bogatyrs, mythic warriors and heroes). We know they are godlike, she explains, because of their name, богатырь. And then she deciphers it: с Богом … [Link]
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