Language Insights
Which Animals Are We Most Likely To Speak With First?
Which creature will cross the human-animal linguistic divide first? Recent research on animals and language presents a few possible candidates.
Speaking In Tongues: The Language And Practice Of Glossolalia
What makes people speak in tongues, and what are they actually saying? We investigate glossolalia and what researchers have discovered about it.
Will The World Ever Be Monolingual?
At the rate that languages are going extinct, will the future of language ever possibly look like a world where everyone speaks in one tongue?
Linguistic Thanksgiving: The Stories Behind Your Favorite Holiday Foods
Rather than discuss politics around the table this year, make your feast a linguistic Thanksgiving with these word facts about your meal!
The 10 Most Spoken Languages In The World
Almost half of the world’s population claims one of only 10 languages as their mother tongue. So what are the top 10 languages of the world? You might be surprised.
Where Is Cursive Used Around The World?
Cursive writing may be disappearing from American schools, but it can still be found in many other places around the world.
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?
How To Say ‘Good Luck’ In 10 Languages
Whether it’s sincere or sarcastic, knowing how to say ‘good luck’ is a useful skill in any language. Here’s a quick guide.
8 Signs You’ve Mastered A Foreign Language
The march toward language proficiency usually comes with some sideways and backwards steps. So how do you know you’ve arrived?
What Japanese Haiku Can Teach Us About Translation
Haiku is a deceptively simple kind of poem. Three lines can hold so many possible meanings.
The Language Detectives: Solving Puzzles With Forensic Linguistics
From the courtroom to the Twitterverse, a look at how forensic linguists use language patterns to solve the world’s mysteries.
Jargon Watch: Lawyers And The Language Of The Courtroom
A brief guide to legal jargon, from habeas corpus to hung jury.
How To Tackle Silent Letters In Just About Any Language
Now you say it, now you don’t. Silent letters can trip you up when you’re learning a new language, but you don’t have to go in blindly.
Polyglot Pooches: Why Many Dogs Are Trained In Other Languages
Whether they’re police K-9s or civilian mutts, many of our four-legged friends are given foreign-language commands during training. Here’s why.