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 » More bovine excrement to rebut
Recently someone who runs some sort of online discussion forum wrote to ask me about the accuracy (or otherwise) of two bipartite claims. One said that "Language became prominent only after printed word entered our consciousness" and that "This caused the externalization and objectification of 'knowledge'," and the other said that in non-literate cultures "people have more verbs in their … [Link]
Language Log » Learning to read and write Chinese
Responding to "How to learn to read Chinese" (5/25/08), Alex Wang writes: Thanks for the great blog. I have also enjoyed the articles of David Moser. My path toward your blog started when I decided to teach my younger son, 4, to start to read Chinese and English. It also was heavily influenced by watching my elder son, 7, struggle … [Link]
languagehat.com » How Abbas Kiarostami Had Me Thinking in Persian.
That’s the title of A. O. Scott’s fine NY Times tribute to one of the greatest directors of my lifetime, and you can see why it caught my eye when my brother sent it to me (thanks, Eric!). I was particularly glad because I hadn’t intended to post on Kiarostami’s passing, although it hit me even harder than Yves Bonnefoy’s … [Link]
Language Log » Whodunit sociolinguistics
In order to pass the time on the long flight back from Paris, I downloaded a set of classic Margery Allingham mysteries. And in reading them, I was struck now and again by interesting and unexpected linguistic trivia. Thus in Look to the Lady, 1931 [emphasis added]: Mr Campion was introduced, and there was a momentary awkward pause. A quick … [Link]
Omniglot blog » Heavy Plant Crossing
If you saw this sign, what kind of plant(s) would you expect to be crossing? In this context, plant refers to “a large, heavy machine or vehicle used in industry, for building roads, etc.” It can also mean “machines used in industry” or “a factory in which a particular product is made or power is produced” [source] Apparently the first … [Link]
Urban Word of the Day » phony kicking it
When you don't like somebody but you hang out with them I don't get how she was just talking about her but they coolIt's called phony kicking it. It's stupid but everyone's doing it
[Link]
languagehat.com » Spreadthesign.
Spreadthesign is a site for learning sign languages: Here you will find an international dictionary of the following national sign languages: Swedish, English (BSL), American English (ASL), German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Estonian, Lithuanian, Icelandic, Latvian, Polish, Czech, Japanese, Turkish. American Sign Language and baby signs are also included in this dictionary. This webpage is administered by the Non-Governmental and … [Link]
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