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 » Struck by a duck-rabbit effect
I was just reading along in the NYT today but had to pause at this sentence: Mr. Trump has used bankruptcy laws to shield him from personal losses while his investors suffer. I found myself puzzling over whether "him" was all right there or whether I wanted "himself", and even more puzzled that I was having trouble deciding. I would … [Link]
languagehat.com » My Little Free Library War.
Subtitle: “How our suburban front-yard lending box made me hate books and fear my neighbors.” Dan Greenstone’s Salon piece is both depressing and hilarious. A sample: At last year’s public library book sale, our family had, as a joke, played a game of “Find the Boringest Book.” And, not to brag, but we’d kicked some ass. So imagine my surprise … [Link]
Language Log » Language games at The Economist
An ad that's been popping up for me on the web recently: 
I expect that others have used asterisks in this particular way before, but web search engines seem generally to treat "**UK" as plain "UK" — perhaps someone else will have better luck finding precedents. (Of course, general taboo-avoidance via asterisks is common and has been discussed here many … [Link]
Language Log » "Enter the Dangal"
Earlier this year, Language Log readers contributed to the elucidation of "South Asian wrestling terms" (3/1/16). Rudraneil Sengupta's researches on this topic have now born fruit in the form of a book titled Enter the Dangal: Travels through India's Wrestling Landscape, which is due out 8/3/16. In it, Rudraneil explores the history and culture of wrestling in India through the … [Link]
Language Log » Sleeping jaguars run furiously
Roger Lustig sends in this trending-on-facebook headline: Police Find Jaguars Running Back Asleep Inside Car Sinking Into a Pond, Reports Say Roger traces the first few steps down the garden path: –Police find jaguars –Police find jaguars running –Police find jaguars running back (from where?) –Police find jaguars running back asleep (talk about "second nature"!) For me, "running back" is … [Link]
Urban Word of the Day » man nod
A nod of the head similiar to the nod of acknoweldgement but can be used between any two men, not just friends. It is an unspoken greeting in which only another man nod is an appropriate response. Signifies acceptence of presence. Verbally may be interpretted as a grunt. Universal language with no ehtnic restrictions. Bob was walking down a street … [Link]
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