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
languagehat.com » The Encyclopedia Reader.
This piece by Daniel A. Gross in the New Yorker‘s Page-Turner series is a moving account of two men who have had a close, though largely epistolary, relationship ever since 2004, when Robin Woods sent Mark Stevens a letter beginning “I am writing to you at this time to advise you of a misprint…” (My thanks to Paul Ogden for … [Link]
Language Log » Common language
Provocative research results reported in Sci-News (9/13/16), "Unrelated Languages Often Use Same Sounds for Common Objects and Ideas, Research Finds": A careful statistical examination of words from 6,000+ languages shows that humans tend to use the same sounds for common objects and ideas, no matter what language they’re speaking. The article reports on findings of a research group led by … [Link]
Omniglot blog » Omniglot app
There is now an Omniglot app for Andriod developed by علي الساعدي (Ali al-saaedi Ali shirpaz) from Iraq. It only works online at the moment, and is available here. Any comments or suggestions on how it might be improved are welcome. Many thanks to علي الساعدي for doing this. [Link]
Urban Word of the Day » sike
The immediately preceding statement is false and was told to mislead. I really miss that show Blossom … SIKE!
[Link]
Language Log » Can Japanese read Chinese, and vice versa?
In The Japan Times (9/12/16), Mark Schreiber writes: "Can Japanese speakers really read Chinese? It depends on what you mean by ‘read’". Jim Breen comments: Not a bad article. There certainly is a perception among some Japanese that they can "read" Chinese, but I suspect it's not as strong as the perception among some Chinese that Japanese is merely a … [Link]
Language Log » Harambe McHarambeface
Strange happenings in the Jinhua zoo, Zhejiang, China: "Has a Chinese zoo called a gorilla Harambe McHarambeface? Claim that poll decided animal’s name sweeps the web" (Daily Mail, 9/13/16) Confusion over the naming of a gorilla at a zoo after a 'huge public vote' Newborn 'christened' at Jinhua zoo in China's central Zhejiang province Total of 73,345 votes were cast … [Link]
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