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
Wordorigins.org » rap
The sense of rap meaning a blow or strike is probably echoic in origin. Much like tap and clap, it represents the sound of the blow. The earliest citation in both the Oxford English Dictionary and the Middle English Dictionary is from the poem Roland and Vernagu, found in the Auchinleck manuscript (Edinburgh, National Library of Scotland, Advocates MS 19.2.1), … [Link]
Language Log » Don't be awkward
Mark Liberman's discussion of an absurd modifier placement rule in the Associated Press Style Book reminded me of an ancient and not particularly funny joke that, the way I first heard it, is based on an offensive stereotype of gay men. I was going to explain on the Chronicle of Higher Education's language blog Lingua Franca a couple of months … [Link]
Language Log » Economy of expression
Flying back from Vienna on Austrian Airlines yesterday, I saw the following notices printed on the back of the seat in front of me: Gurte während des sitzens geschlossen halten* Fasten seat belt while seated — *some airlines begin this sentence with a "bitte", which would make the German even longer Die schwimmweste befindet sich unter ihrem sitz Life vest … [Link]
Omniglot blog » Interview with Mango Languages
A while ago I did a interview with Mango Languages in which I talk about Omniglot and how and why I learnt my languages. If you’re interested you can hear it here: There’s a related blog post here: https://blog.mangolanguages.com/an-~ [Link]
Urban Word of the Day » Old slippers
The genitals of a past significant other that after consideration and comparison are the ones you love the most "My girpelfriend said she missed my old slippers"
[Link]
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