#language

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fromIndependent
1 week ago

Rizz, drip and Skibidi toilet: A dad's guide to understanding teenage slang

Language is a living thing. It never resides in a fixed state, but is shaped and remolded by each of us as individuals, as societies, as communities.
Digital life
#etymology
fromwww.npr.org
2 weeks ago

Y'all, we need to talk about 'y'all'

"Y'all has won," says Paul E. Reed, a linguist at the University of Alabama who studies Southern American English and Appalachian English.
US news
#social-media
#parenting
#donald-trump
fromBoston.com
3 weeks ago
US news

Trump praised Liberian president's 'beautiful English.' It's been the country's official language since the 1800s.

fromBoston.com
3 weeks ago
US news

Trump praised Liberian president's 'beautiful English.' It's been the country's official language since the 1800s.

US Elections
fromFast Company
3 months ago

Trump has an odd obsession with the word 'groceries.' Now his tariffs will raise the price of them

Donald Trump has a fascination with the word "groceries," which he uses intentionally in his campaigning to connect with voters.
fromemptywheel
3 weeks ago

Seeing Language as a Tool of Authoritarianism - emptywheel

Liberalism hinges on the belief that language can transparently describe reality, facilitating rational debate on diverse visions for a better society.
US politics
fromMedium
1 month ago

Design is a language

Language is thought of primarily as a tool for communication, but it also helps structure our thoughts, create nuanced concepts, and augment our imagination and creativity.
Design
#french-culture
fromBuzzFeed
1 month ago

People Are Sharing Their Favorite Words That Exist In Other Languages But Don't Exist In English (And Some Of These Are Incredible)

Languages harbor unique words that encapsulate emotions or concepts lost in translation, enriching our understanding of human experiences.
fromMail Online
1 month ago

The 20 once-beloved baby names on the brink of extinction in the UK

Non-Anglo names are disappearing rapidly from UK birth records, despite an increase in births to non-UK-born mothers.
Cultural assimilation and negative perceptions influence naming choices among parents.
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

Which archipelago is home to Norway's polar bears? The Saturday quiz

March 14 and July 22 are celebrated as Pi Day and a day related to Pi, respectively, highlighting the mathematical significance of this number in mathematics.
Mobile UX
fromVulture
1 month ago

Sorry, Baby Has a Hard Time Talking About the Things We Can't Talk About

Sorry, Baby illustrates the absurdities and inadequacies in discussing and addressing the trauma of sexual assault.
fromThe Local France
1 month ago

French Word of the Day: Eclaircie

Eclaircie can denote a sunny spell between rain, signify a favorable change in conflict situations, or refer to thinning out in forestry. Its general meaning is a form of clearing.
Environment
fromBusiness Insider
1 month ago

My dad's death led me to China. Living in Shanghai helped me heal.

My Shanghainese father met my Mexican mother near Los Angeles in the 1970s, and I grew up speaking English and Spanish. I even chose Spanish as my minor in college.
SF parents
#humor
#ai
fromFast Company
1 month ago
Artificial intelligence

Why AI has a big branding problem

AI's branding and phonetics pose challenges for public perception and marketing.
Artificial intelligence
fromWIRED
3 months ago

'You Can't Lick a Badger Twice': Google Failures Highlight a Fundamental AI Flaw

Google's AI Overviews can fabricate meanings for nonsensical phrases, showcasing both the fun and the limitations of generative AI.
Artificial intelligence
fromWIRED
3 months ago

'You Can't Lick a Badger Twice': Google Failures Highlight a Fundamental AI Flaw

Google's AI Overviews can fabricate meanings for nonsensical phrases, showcasing both the fun and the limitations of generative AI.
#film
fromPsychology Today
1 month ago

Where Do New Words Come From?

These newcomers, however, aren't always welcome, and such terms may be viewed as nonstandard or colloquial for years or decades before they become respectable members of the lexicon.
Miscellaneous
fromStackdiver
1 month ago
UX design

The Grammar of Independence

Thinking for oneself implies agency, ownership, and responsibility, a concept vital in the age of AI.
#philosophy
fromThe Local Germany
1 month ago

German word of the day: Freimutig

In Germany, freimütig conjures an image of selfless, disinterested heroism, while 'frank' in English suggests a breach of social etiquette that requires prior encouragement.
Germany politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

How the use of a word in the Guardian has gotten some readers upset | Elisabeth Ribbans

The Guardian adapts its language to cater to a global audience, incorporating both British and American English.
fromThe Local Germany
1 month ago

'Accept the silence': The secrets of small talk in Germany you need to know

In Germany, "Wie geht es dir?" is more than just a greeting; it often leads to lengthy discussions about personal issues, making small talk challenging.
Germany politics
#swearing
Fashion & style
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

Chic' is dead, says Vogue. Is it time to revive jazzy', snazzy' and swish'? | Emma Beddington

The word 'chic' has lost its original meaning and essence due to overuse and misapplication.
There's a need for alternative descriptions to keep language fresh and expressive.
Berlin food
fromTasting Table
2 months ago

What Makes A Hamburger Different From A Sandwich? The Answer Might Depend On Where You Live - Tasting Table

Hamburgers are considered a subcategory of sandwich, defined as meat between two separate buns.
fromMail Online
2 months ago

Baby names are getting more DIVERSE, experts reveal

Baby names in Britain have become significantly more culturally diverse over the last 20 years.
fromMail Online
2 months ago

We need to wash our mouths out! Brits are second-heaviest swearers

Britain ranks second for swearing frequency globally, with Americans leading in the use of vulgar language.
fromInsideHook
2 months ago

Please Don't Refer to Women as "Females"

Men often refer to women as 'females,' which many women find cringeworthy due to its impersonal and overly scientific nature, causing discomfort in gender context.
Women
#perception
fromPsychology Today
2 months ago
Typography

What's in a Word?

Words shape perception more than facts.
Framing alters behavior while preserving the truth.
Language evolved as a tool for social survival.
fromOpen Culture
3 months ago
philosophy

Why Most Ancient Civilizations Had No Word for the Color Blue

Human experience occurs in the mind; language and culture shape perception of reality.
fromwww.npr.org
2 months ago

Sunday Puzzle: That's HANDY

H - Hindi is spoken by millions in India and other countries, functioning as an official language along with English in several regions. A - Arabic, a Semitic language, serves as the liturgical language of Islam and is widely spoken in the Arab world. N - Nepali, the official language of Nepal, belongs to the Indo-Aryan branch and is spoken by millions, primarily in South Asia. D - Dutch is a West Germanic language spoken in the Netherlands and parts of Belgium; it has deep historical ties to maritime trade. Y - Yoruba is a language of the Yoruba people in West Africa, notable for its rich cultural heritage and linguistic influence.
Games
#communication
fromPsychology Today
2 months ago

What Is Symbolic Abuse and How Can Parents Avoid It?

Language is a collection of symbols that conveys meaning; some words reference tangible objects while others evoke profound emotions or abstract concepts.
Parenting
fromIrish Independent
2 months ago

Peadar Toibin claims he was sent a reply to a Parliamentary Question in Ancient Greek

AI may lead to communication errors and misunderstandings within government departments.
fromBig Think
2 months ago

Stephen King's most misused piece of writing advice

A thesaurus is a treasure trove of words to help writers compose the best phrase to express their ideas and thoughts.
Writing
Relationships
fromPsychology Today
2 months ago

How Not to Talk About the Sean Diddy Combs Legal Case

Language plays a critical role in discussing sexual and domestic violence, influencing perceptions of victims and perpetrators.
#french
fromDefector
2 months ago

Nobody Can Do That | Defector

"You could probably spend the next few hours compiling a list of words that could be counted on to slot legibly into a sentence that begins, 'If you closed your eyes and...'."},{
Washington Wizards
fromBuzzFeed
2 months ago

Kristen Bell's Kids Jokingly Called Her The B-Word In Their Mother's Day Card, And People Are Divided

Using swear words towards parents is seen as disrespectful by some.
#culture
fromThe Local Germany
2 months ago

German word of the day: Knollchen

The term 'Knöllchen' for parking tickets adds a humorous twist to a mundane experience in Germany, stemming from the Rhineland's playful linguistics.
fromThe Local France
2 months ago

French Word of the Day: Esperluette

Esperluette is the French term for the ampersand symbol, representing 'and', and has historical roots dating back to Roman times.
fromThe Local Germany
1 year ago

The ultimate guide to looking and sounding like a local in Berlin

Perfect your 'Berliner Schnauze' by adopting unique accent shifts that reflect the outspoken nature of Berliners—like changing 'ich' to 'ick' and 'gut' to 'joot'.
Berlin music
Mindfulness
fromBig Think
2 months ago

You cannot put the wind in a bag: How we learned to see nature

We often perceive nature solely for its utility, overlooking its intrinsic value and interconnectedness.
Germany news
fromThe Local Germany
2 months ago

How well do you know these German teen slang expressions?

Keeping up with teen slang in Germany is essential for understanding the culture.
Germany's 'Youth Word of the Year' features primarily loan words, particularly from English.
fromVulture
2 months ago

The Romance of Being Unreadable

"I envy words for doing what we can never do - how they can tell all of themselves simply by standing still, simply by being."
Writing
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 months ago

Pathemata by Maggie Nelson review a writer's attempt to describe chronic pain

In The Body in Pain, Elaine Scarry articulates that pain’s resistance to language not only makes sharing experiences of suffering difficult but also actively destroys the very language we use to convey them.
Mindfulness
fromA Philosopher's Blog
3 months ago

Connotation Theft

The distinction between denotation and connotation is critical; a word's literal meaning differs significantly from its emotional impact, affecting perception and understanding.
philosophy
fromA Philosopher's Blog
3 months ago

Fascism

One obvious problem, as noted by John Locke, is that "people can apply sounds to what ideas he thinks fit, and change them as they please." This leads to confusion.
philosophy
fromTravel + Leisure
3 months ago

I've Lived in Italy 15+ Years-These Are the Italian Words and Phrases Every Traveler Should Know Before a Visit

"Italians will help you when you try to speak Italian, because they're so grateful when anyone tries to learn their crazy language."
Juventus
fromBuzzFeed
3 months ago

Only People With An IQ Range Of 130-150 Will Know These 25 Words

The 'Jeopardy' quiz challenges participants to select words based on definitions, synonyms, and contextual clues, enhancing their vocabulary through engaging gameplay.
Typography
#bonobos
fromNew York Post
3 months ago
OMG science

Bonobo apes aren't just grunting at each other - in fact, their complex 'language' mimics humans, scientists claim

OMG science
fromNew York Post
3 months ago

Bonobo apes aren't just grunting at each other - in fact, their complex 'language' mimics humans, scientists claim

Bonobos can combine vocal sounds to form phrases, challenging the belief that human language is unique.
OMG science
fromwww.scientificamerican.com
3 months ago

Bonobos' Complex Calls Share an Extraordinary Trait with Human Language

Bonobos exhibit advanced communication abilities similar to humans, specifically in creating complex meanings through nontrivial compositionality.
fromwww.npr.org
3 months ago

Sunday Puzzle: Same beginnings

A fish has fins, providing crucial propulsion and stability in water, just as both 'fish' and 'fins' share the same initial letters.
Media industry
fromThe Local Germany
3 months ago

German word of the day: Wanderlust

Wanderlust originally means a desire to hike in nature, differing from its broader English meaning of a yearning for adventure.
Brooklyn
fromPitchfork
3 months ago

Let Me Show You How to Bip: Tracing the Origins of Hip-Hop's Favorite New Word

Hip-hop acts as a platform for new slang and language from Black America to reach mainstream culture.
fromThe Local Germany
3 months ago

German word of the day: Zwickmuhle

The German term 'Zwickmühle' succinctly describes the painful experience of being stuck in a dilemma.
fromMail Online
3 months ago

Children are developing 'Fortnite accents', experts warn

Excessive gaming can lead children to develop a 'Fortnite accent', indicating a lack of real-world interactions.
fromYogaRenew
3 months ago

Language, Lineage and the Heart of Yoga Practice

Personal pronouns in yoga cues foster individual connection, offering deeper philosophical insights about identity and the self's relationship to the whole.
fromBuzzFeed
3 months ago

People Are Revealing The Totally Normal Things In Their Countries That Make Tourists Say "Wait, What?"

Saying 'yeah, nah' and 'nah, yeah.' This subtle language wizardry is second nature to Aussies: 'Yeah, nah' = no. 'Nah, yeah' = yes.
NYC food
Mental health
fromPsychology Today
3 months ago

Using Metaphor in Psychotherapy

Metaphors are foundational in language and crucial for enhancing psychological health through therapy.
Interacting with subtle emotional responses via metaphor supports psychological flexibility.
fromMail Online
3 months ago

Interactive chart reveals what hilarious 'polite-isms' REALLY mean

Brits commonly use polite-isms to avoid confrontation, averaging 14 a day.
fromNew York Post
4 months ago

Overwhelmed to see something unbearably cute? There's a word for that

"Gigil" refers to "a feeling we get when we see someone or something cute," according to the OED.
Humor
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 months ago

It's so politically loaded': Marlon Williams on finding the gall' to write an album entirely in Maori

often, his thoughts are concerned with admin with death cleaning and the worry of not having his affairs in order. But there's also the niggle of a life not fully lived.
London music
fromPsychology Today
4 months ago

When Words Decide Fate

Words are tools. Some build bridges, while others burn them. A single word can change the tone of a conversation, redirect a decision, or reshape how someone is viewed.
Typography
Writing
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 months ago

A swan: I have looked upon these brilliant creatures, and now my heart is sore' | Helen Sullivan

The word 'limn' signifies both a depiction and an illumination, reflecting the author's creative process and personal transitions.
OMG science
fromInsideHook
4 months ago

One Ski Instructor Explored the Taxonomy of Snow

There are numerous descriptive terms for snow, with variations influenced by region and culture, as explored by Russ Scholl and Ian Bogost.
fromPsychology Today
4 months ago

Say It Right: A Neurodiversity Language Guide for Allies

Language impacts the way neurodiverse individuals are treated across various sectors, influencing their self-perception, opportunities for employment, and housing stability.
Mental health
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 months ago

Why decolonise Shakespeare when all the world's a stage for his ideas on injustice? | Kenan Malik

Baldwin's journey with Shakespeare illustrates a profound relationship where he initially views language as a tool of oppression, only to later embrace it as a means to express his own experiences.
London politics
SF LGBT
fromCornell Chronicle
4 months ago

Share and hear poetry in many languages at this April 9 event | Cornell Chronicle

The Language Resource Center is hosting its annual 'Sweet Poetry' event, emphasizing the unity of diverse languages and cultures through poetry.
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