Friars, Monkeys and Coffee? The Interesting Etymology of Cappuccinos
For millions of people around the world, the morning doesn’t officially start until they’ve had a cup of coffee. In the United States alone, coffee drinkers sip an average of 450 million cups each day. Cappuccinos are one of the most popular options for those looking to get their caffeine fix. But have you ever […]
Why Interpreters Are Essential: Ariana’s Story
Many people agree that interpreting services are sometimes overlooked, but very few people know about the harmful consequences of doing so. I have witnessed firsthand the extent to which this occurs. A couple of months ago, I was shadowing at a dental clinic near my hometown. They did not offer interpreting services since most of […]
Everything You Need to Know About the Upcoming Tokyo Olympics
In March 2020 the Tokyo Olympic games, like so many other events, were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now a year later the games are set to take place. They’ll still be called Tokyo 2020 but are scheduled for July 23 – August 8, 2021. All of the iconic events, like gymnastics and swimming, […]
How Do Linguists Feel About Emojis?
If you communicate through texting or social media, you can’t escape emojis. These stylized smiley faces, hearts, hand gestures and food items are an ingrained part of virtual conversations. But what do linguists think about these colorful graphics? Do emojis enhance the way we talk online, or are they the death of language as we […]
The Etymology and Origin of Clichés
Try to imagine the last time you had a conversation that didn’t involve a cliché. We often use these “trite phrases or expressions” without a second thought. But have you ever wondered about the etymology of clichés? Let’s spend some time looking at the historic events and pieces of literature that helped create the clichés […]
10 Words that Defined a Year
While many people rang in the new year by watching the ball drop in Times Square or popping champagne, another tradition was celebrated by linguists around the world. As the year came to a close, dictionary companies and language societies announced their “word of the year.” Each group uses different criteria to narrow down their […]
Should Dying Languages Be Saved?
There are close to 7,000 languages spoken on earth. However, it’s estimated that by the end of this century, up to 50% of them may be lost. Eighty percent of the world’s population now speaks just 1% of its languages, with languages like English dominating the internet, television, and published texts. What do we lose […]
5 Surprising Facts About Countries with English as an Official Language
More than 50 countries around the world use English as an official language. But you might be surprised to learn that some of the major English-speaking countries, like Australia, the United States and England, are not on this list. So why do certain countries use English as an official language? And what exactly is an […]
Beyond Halloween: 5 Global October Holidays
As the sun starts to set on October 31, children dressed as ghosts and superheroes go door to door asking for candy. Along their trick-or-treating route, they’ll visit houses decorated with skeletons, spiderwebs and jack-o-lanterns. Halloween is a popular American tradition that is associated with scary movies, costumes and tons of candy. But around the […]
4 ways intermediate speakers can have advanced conversations
If you’re an intermediate language learner, you might feel like you’ve gotten stuck in a language plateau. There are some topics you can discuss with relative ease. You no longer get stressed out about ordering food at a restaurant or asking for directions in the street. In fact, you may even be able to hold […]