John Gordon Ross

A Man for All Reasons

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Language Stuff

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 » Two tons of creamed corn

Monday 6 March 23:22:39 UTC 2017

Today's xkcd: Mouseover title: "Sure, you could just ask, but this also takes care of the host gift thing." Unless of course they have Google Home. In which case apparently the thing to do is to ask about the communist coup that Obama is planning… [Link]

Language Log » Topolectal traffic sign

Monday 6 March 14:24:13 UTC 2017

This has apparently been around for awhile, but I'm seeing it now for the first time: Since I've not found any online explanation or demonstration of what language it is and what the characters actually mean, I've decided to work on it a bit. The line at the top of the sign says: Píngguǒ jiāojǐng gāng méng dǐng 平果交警刚蒙顶 The … [Link]

Urban Word of the Day » donald trump tie

Monday 6 March 8:00:00 UTC 2017

Donald Trump ties are cheap, poorly-made rags that are sold a discount and second-hand stores. People wearing these ties are those who wish they had more in their wallet than just lint. Generally, tie-wearers are wanna-bes who are looking for some attention and something to brag about. In reality, they are just embarassing themselves and all other other tie-wearers around … [Link]

languagehat.com » Sports Nicknames.

Monday 6 March 2:14:55 UTC 2017

Ben Yagoda’s Lingua Franca post Why Don’t Athletes Have Good Nicknames Anymore? covers a subject dear to my heart (my answer to the titular question: because the good nicknames were given by the fans in the cheap seats back when sports were cheap entertainment, but now they’re big business and there are no cheap seats); it’s a funny piece and … [Link]

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