John Gordon Ross

A Man for All Reasons

John Gordon Ross header image 3

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 » Just press Pay

Saturday 18 November 14:05:39 UTC 2017

This is a screen shot I snapped during a recent attempt to purchase something (can't remember what) on the web: Notice that in order to continue, it tells me (twice) that I have to press "Pay". Can you see any button labeled "Pay" on the screen? If you are itching to tell me what I should have done, you are … [Link]

Omniglot blog » Parasols, umbrellas and gobos

Saturday 18 November 13:27:27 UTC 2017

At the French conversation group last night, one of the words that came up was parasol, which is used in English and French to refer to a small umbrella used as protection from the sun. Parasol comes from the Italian parasole (parasol, sunshade), from para- (to shield) and sole (sun) [source]. Related words include: – parapluie = umbrella – para-soleil … [Link]

Urban Word of the Day » Going Screensaver

Saturday 18 November 11:15:12 UTC 2017

When you notice a coworker spacing out, or dozing off in a meeting. “Check it out, look at Joe. He’s going screensaver.” [Link]

Archive

No Comments

0 responses so far ↓

  • There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.

You must log in to post a comment.