Where did English come from? - Claire Bowern
AdultsHistoryLanguageWhen we talk about 'English', we often think of it as a single language. But what do the dialects spoken in dozens of countries around the world have in common with each other, or with the writings of Chaucer? Claire Bowern traces the language from the present day back to its ancient roots, showing how English has evolved through generations of speakers.
How to Be Charming When Talking About Yourself
AdultsLanguageSelfSocietyPsychologyIt's sometimes assumed that talking too much about ourselves is rude; and asking questions of others is polite and charming. But the distinction is not quite so simple. There are far better and worse ways of speaking about ourselves. We end up charming when we dare to reveal our vulnerabilities to others.
How to use rhetoric to get what you want - Camille A. Langston
AdultsHistoryPhilosophyLanguageHow do you get what you want, using just your words? Aristotle set out to answer exactly that question over two thousand years ago with a treatise on rhetoric. Camille A. Langston describes the fundamentals of deliberative rhetoric and shares some tips for appealing to an audience's ethos, logos, and pathos in your next speech.
Does grammar matter? - Andreea S. Calude
AdultsEducationLanguageGrammarIt can be hard sometimes, when speaking, to remember all of the grammatical rules that guide us when we're writing. When is it right to say "the dog and me" and when should it be "the dog and I"? Does it even matter? Andreea S. Calude dives into the age-old argument between linguistic prescriptivists and descriptivists - who have two very different opinions on the matter.
When to use "me", "myself" and "I" - Emma Bryce
AdultsEducationLanguageGrammarMe, myself, and I. You may be tempted to use these words interchangeably, because they all refer to the same thing. But in fact, each one has a specific role in a sentence: 'I' is a subject pronoun, 'me' is an object pronoun, and 'myself' is a reflexive or intensive pronoun. Emma Bryce explains what each role reveals about where each word belongs.
A neuroscientist explains how being bilingual makes your brain more robust
AdultsHumanLanguageNeuroscienceHealthEducationMarian Sigman, a neuroscientist and author of "The Secret Life of the Mind: How Your Brain Thinks, Feels, and Decides," explains how babies that grow up bilingual will have brain functions that might be superior to those children that only speak one language.
Aphasia: The disorder that makes you lose your words - Susan Wortman-Jutt
AdultsLanguageMental HealthHealthPsychologyLanguage is an essential part of our lives that we often take for granted. But, if the delicate web of language networks in your brain became disrupted by stroke, illness, or trauma, you could find yourself truly at a loss for words.
One of the most difficult words to translate
AdultsCultureLanguageAs simple as it seems, it's often impossible to accurately translate the word you without knowing a lot more about the situation where it's being said. Krystian Aparta describes the specific reasons why it can be difficult, citing examples from many different languages.
The pleasure of poetic pattern
AdultsArtLanguageMusicCreativityHumans are creatures of rhythm and repetition. From our breath to our gait: rhythm is central to our experience, and often brings us pleasure. We can find pleasure in the rhythm of a song, or even the rows of an orchard. Of course, too much repetition can also backfire. David Silverstein describes what poetic repetition is and why it works.
Can You Hear Me in French?
AdultsGadgetsLanguageTechnologyGroundbreaking Gadget Fits Inside Your Ear To Translate Foreign Languages In Real-Time
Introducing Tap to Translate
AdultsLanguageTechnologyTap to Translate: instantly translate text within any app on your Android phone. No more app switching. Just copy the text and your translation pops up right there.