Articles by Thomas
Is A Language A Dialect With An Army And A Navy?
People choose to recognize languages when they want to reinforce our similarities or differences. In part of the western Balkans, the argument over Serbo-Croatian reveals what people think of languages.
How Many People Speak Polish, And Where Is It Spoken?
Polish has gone from being one of the biggest languages in medieval Europe to nearly being wiped out in the 20th century and back. What’s the status of the language today?
A Cultural History Of Pumpkins And Gourds
It’s fall, which means pumpkins have been shoved into every space they can fit into. How did they become ubiquitous? The history of pumpkins provides clues.
The United States Of Accents: Announcer Voice And Other Radio Accents
Do radio announcers have a specific accent? You bet they do, and it hasn’t always been the same. Here’s a history of radio voices from the 1920s to today.
How To Name And Pronounce Colors In Italian
Roses are rosso, violets are blu, for the rest of the colors in Italian, here’s a handy guide for you. Learn all the colors of l’Arcobaleno (the rainbow).
Quiz: What Bad Learning Habit Have You Fallen Into?
The first step to breaking a bad learning habit is to recognize what it is. This handy quiz might be able to point you in the right direction.
How To Name And Pronounce Colors In German
Roses are rot, violets are blau; here’s a guide to master German colors right now! Here’s an overview of all the colors in der Regenbogen (the rainbow).
Introducing Dubravka Ugrešić’s ‘American Fictionary’
For October’s Babbel Book Club pick, we have a series of essays about the United States, Yugoslavia and being caught between worlds.
How To Go Clothes Shopping Abroad
Shopping abroad can be a very fun activity, but it can be a frustrating one, too. Here are some tips for getting clothes that fit regardless of where you’re traveling.