Linguistic Discovery
@linguisticdiscovery.com
🗣️ Teaching you about the science and diversity of language
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Hi! 👋 Linguistic Discovery teaches you all about the science and diversity of language—a field known as linguistics.
I (Danny Hieber, Ph.D.) post daily about how language works, the latest news and research in linguistics, and the incredible diversity of language.
I (Danny Hieber, Ph.D.) post daily about how language works, the latest news and research in linguistics, and the incredible diversity of language.
linguistics, n. — the scientific study of language
Today is World Linguistics Day! Here’s what linguistics is all about.
#WorldLinguisticsDay #linguistics #science #language #dialect #accent #phonetics #syntax #words #grammar
Today is World Linguistics Day! Here’s what linguistics is all about.
#WorldLinguisticsDay #linguistics #science #language #dialect #accent #phonetics #syntax #words #grammar
November 26, 2025 at 1:42 PM
linguistics, n. — the scientific study of language
Today is World Linguistics Day! Here’s what linguistics is all about.
#WorldLinguisticsDay #linguistics #science #language #dialect #accent #phonetics #syntax #words #grammar
Today is World Linguistics Day! Here’s what linguistics is all about.
#WorldLinguisticsDay #linguistics #science #language #dialect #accent #phonetics #syntax #words #grammar
What’s turkey got to do with the country of Turkey?
Why doesn’t the bird have a Native American name since it’s indigenous to the Americas?
@robwords.bsky.social has your answers in this deep dive into the etymology of the word “turkey”.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJJs...
Why doesn’t the bird have a Native American name since it’s indigenous to the Americas?
@robwords.bsky.social has your answers in this deep dive into the etymology of the word “turkey”.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJJs...
Why is a turkey called a turkey?
YouTube video by RobWords
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:42 AM
What’s turkey got to do with the country of Turkey?
Why doesn’t the bird have a Native American name since it’s indigenous to the Americas?
@robwords.bsky.social has your answers in this deep dive into the etymology of the word “turkey”.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJJs...
Why doesn’t the bird have a Native American name since it’s indigenous to the Americas?
@robwords.bsky.social has your answers in this deep dive into the etymology of the word “turkey”.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJJs...
Why do so many football coaches emphasize Southern accents? Linguistics experts explain
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
Why do so many football coaches emphasize Southern accents? Linguistics experts explain
LSU coach Brian Kelly went viral for his attempt at a southern accent. But experts say there's a reason leaders lean into regional dialects.
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Why do so many football coaches emphasize Southern accents? Linguistics experts explain
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...
‘Algospeak’ says we’re living through a linguistic revolution
Adam Aleksic, known to his many online followers as @etymologynerd.bsky.social, writes about the ways social media is changing language.
www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/0...
Adam Aleksic, known to his many online followers as @etymologynerd.bsky.social, writes about the ways social media is changing language.
www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/0...
Review | ‘Algospeak’ says we’re living through a linguistic revolution
Adam Aleksic, known to his many online followers as Etymology Nerd, writes about the ways social media is changing language.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:17 PM
‘Algospeak’ says we’re living through a linguistic revolution
Adam Aleksic, known to his many online followers as @etymologynerd.bsky.social, writes about the ways social media is changing language.
www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/0...
Adam Aleksic, known to his many online followers as @etymologynerd.bsky.social, writes about the ways social media is changing language.
www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/0...
“6-7” belongs in the dictionary, actually
In defense of @dictionarycom.bsky.social's Word of the Year
Website: linguisticdiscovery.com/posts/67/
Substack: linguisticdiscovery.substack.com/p/67
In defense of @dictionarycom.bsky.social's Word of the Year
Website: linguisticdiscovery.com/posts/67/
Substack: linguisticdiscovery.substack.com/p/67
November 22, 2025 at 8:54 PM
“6-7” belongs in the dictionary, actually
In defense of @dictionarycom.bsky.social's Word of the Year
Website: linguisticdiscovery.com/posts/67/
Substack: linguisticdiscovery.substack.com/p/67
In defense of @dictionarycom.bsky.social's Word of the Year
Website: linguisticdiscovery.com/posts/67/
Substack: linguisticdiscovery.substack.com/p/67
The Harvard-educated linguist breaking down ‘skibidi’ and ‘rizz’
Adam Aleksic, who posts as @etymologynerd.bsky.social, argues in a new book that algorithms are reshaping the English language.
Adam Aleksic, who posts as @etymologynerd.bsky.social, argues in a new book that algorithms are reshaping the English language.
November 22, 2025 at 8:37 PM
The Harvard-educated linguist breaking down ‘skibidi’ and ‘rizz’
Adam Aleksic, who posts as @etymologynerd.bsky.social, argues in a new book that algorithms are reshaping the English language.
Adam Aleksic, who posts as @etymologynerd.bsky.social, argues in a new book that algorithms are reshaping the English language.
RobWords @robwords.bsky.social of YouTube fame, lover of word facts and haver of language fun, recently started a Substack! Join his 11,000 other subscribers here:
robwords.substack.com
robwords.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:35 PM
RobWords @robwords.bsky.social of YouTube fame, lover of word facts and haver of language fun, recently started a Substack! Join his 11,000 other subscribers here:
robwords.substack.com
robwords.substack.com
A long-lost Chinese typewriter that changed modern computing has recently been found
www.npr.org/2025/07/05/n...
www.npr.org/2025/07/05/n...
How this long-lost Chinese typewriter from the 1940s changed modern computing
The concepts in the MingKwai typewriter underlie how Chinese, Japanese and Korean are typed today. The typewriter, patented in 1946, was found last year in an upstate New York basement.
www.npr.org
November 19, 2025 at 8:35 PM
A long-lost Chinese typewriter that changed modern computing has recently been found
www.npr.org/2025/07/05/n...
www.npr.org/2025/07/05/n...
The Halkomelem Language Program at the University of the Fraser Valley graduated its first cohort of 8 students this year.
Halkomelem /hɒlkəˈmeɪləm/ is a language spoken on the coast of British Columbia, Canada which is part of the Salishan language family.
www.theprogress.com/community/fi...
Halkomelem /hɒlkəˈmeɪləm/ is a language spoken on the coast of British Columbia, Canada which is part of the Salishan language family.
www.theprogress.com/community/fi...
November 18, 2025 at 8:35 PM
The Halkomelem Language Program at the University of the Fraser Valley graduated its first cohort of 8 students this year.
Halkomelem /hɒlkəˈmeɪləm/ is a language spoken on the coast of British Columbia, Canada which is part of the Salishan language family.
www.theprogress.com/community/fi...
Halkomelem /hɒlkəˈmeɪləm/ is a language spoken on the coast of British Columbia, Canada which is part of the Salishan language family.
www.theprogress.com/community/fi...
World Linguistics Day in the UK is coming up on November 26th!
If you’d like to participate in promoting linguistics, you can learn more here:
www.linguisticshq.co.uk/national-lin...
If you’d like to participate in promoting linguistics, you can learn more here:
www.linguisticshq.co.uk/national-lin...
National Linguistics Day — Linguistics HQ
National Linguistics Day is a new awareness campaign which is designed to be a focal point in the year to get people thinking, talking and learning about the science of language.
www.linguisticshq.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 8:35 PM
World Linguistics Day in the UK is coming up on November 26th!
If you’d like to participate in promoting linguistics, you can learn more here:
www.linguisticshq.co.uk/national-lin...
If you’d like to participate in promoting linguistics, you can learn more here:
www.linguisticshq.co.uk/national-lin...
Sorry but “series” needs a better plural
I get it, Latin fifth declension nouns blah blah
But what are we using for the new plural going forward?
“serieses” is giving too much Gollum
I get it, Latin fifth declension nouns blah blah
But what are we using for the new plural going forward?
“serieses” is giving too much Gollum
November 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Sorry but “series” needs a better plural
I get it, Latin fifth declension nouns blah blah
But what are we using for the new plural going forward?
“serieses” is giving too much Gollum
I get it, Latin fifth declension nouns blah blah
But what are we using for the new plural going forward?
“serieses” is giving too much Gollum
The Linguistic Discovery newsletter recently passed 5,000 readers!
I only soft-launched the newsletter in August 2024, and then began publishing consistently in January, so it’s incredibly humbling that over 5,000 of you have signed up in a little over a year. I’m grateful for each one of you!
I only soft-launched the newsletter in August 2024, and then began publishing consistently in January, so it’s incredibly humbling that over 5,000 of you have signed up in a little over a year. I’m grateful for each one of you!
November 16, 2025 at 8:35 PM
The Linguistic Discovery newsletter recently passed 5,000 readers!
I only soft-launched the newsletter in August 2024, and then began publishing consistently in January, so it’s incredibly humbling that over 5,000 of you have signed up in a little over a year. I’m grateful for each one of you!
I only soft-launched the newsletter in August 2024, and then began publishing consistently in January, so it’s incredibly humbling that over 5,000 of you have signed up in a little over a year. I’m grateful for each one of you!
“Anna and myself went to the store.”
Is this a grammatically acceptable sentence to you?
Well it should be! Non-reflexive uses of reflexive pronouns are actually quite common in English (and many other languages). They basically function as an *emphatic* pronoun when used in this way.
Is this a grammatically acceptable sentence to you?
Well it should be! Non-reflexive uses of reflexive pronouns are actually quite common in English (and many other languages). They basically function as an *emphatic* pronoun when used in this way.
November 16, 2025 at 3:15 PM
“Anna and myself went to the store.”
Is this a grammatically acceptable sentence to you?
Well it should be! Non-reflexive uses of reflexive pronouns are actually quite common in English (and many other languages). They basically function as an *emphatic* pronoun when used in this way.
Is this a grammatically acceptable sentence to you?
Well it should be! Non-reflexive uses of reflexive pronouns are actually quite common in English (and many other languages). They basically function as an *emphatic* pronoun when used in this way.
Writing the terms "brainrot" and "illocutionary force" in the same article was not how I expected my evening to go but here we are
November 16, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Writing the terms "brainrot" and "illocutionary force" in the same article was not how I expected my evening to go but here we are
Here’s something useful for you to keep in mind while you're getting mad about @dictionarycom.bsky.social's Word of the Year:
A *number* is a mathematical object, a concept.
A *numeral* is a *word* for a number.
6 and 6th are numbers. “six” and “sixth” are numerals.
A *number* is a mathematical object, a concept.
A *numeral* is a *word* for a number.
6 and 6th are numbers. “six” and “sixth” are numerals.
November 15, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Here’s something useful for you to keep in mind while you're getting mad about @dictionarycom.bsky.social's Word of the Year:
A *number* is a mathematical object, a concept.
A *numeral* is a *word* for a number.
6 and 6th are numbers. “six” and “sixth” are numerals.
A *number* is a mathematical object, a concept.
A *numeral* is a *word* for a number.
6 and 6th are numbers. “six” and “sixth” are numerals.
@dictionarycom.bsky.social announces ‘6-7’ as the 2025 Word of the Year
www.dictionary.com/e/word-of-th...
www.dictionary.com/e/word-of-th...
Dictionary.com’s 2025 Word of the Year Is… - Dictionary.com
Each year, Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year and short-listed nominees capture pivotal moments in language and culture. These words serve as a linguistic time capsule, reflecting social trends and…
www.dictionary.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:35 PM
@dictionarycom.bsky.social announces ‘6-7’ as the 2025 Word of the Year
www.dictionary.com/e/word-of-th...
www.dictionary.com/e/word-of-th...
Do you speak Canadian? Scholars are hard at work creating the third edition of “A dictionary of Canadianisms on historical principles”, the definitive collection of words, expressions, and meanings that are distinctive to Canadian English.
thetyee.ca/Culture/2025...
thetyee.ca/Culture/2025...
Do You Speak Canadian? | The Tyee
Keener linguists are compiling the latest English-language Canadianisms. What do their choices say about us?
thetyee.ca
November 14, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Do you speak Canadian? Scholars are hard at work creating the third edition of “A dictionary of Canadianisms on historical principles”, the definitive collection of words, expressions, and meanings that are distinctive to Canadian English.
thetyee.ca/Culture/2025...
thetyee.ca/Culture/2025...
For years, the Chitimacha tribe of Louisiana has been working with linguists to revitalize the Chitimacha language. While the language lost its last native fluent speakers in the 1930s, efforts to teach and speak the language continue to grow.
LSU finds new athletic director, continues search for head football coach; Chitimacha language revitalization efforts
Today on Louisiana Considered, we learn all about LSU’s new athletic director and hear about some of the names in mind to replace Brian Kelly as head football coach. We also discuss modern and…
www.wwno.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:35 PM
For years, the Chitimacha tribe of Louisiana has been working with linguists to revitalize the Chitimacha language. While the language lost its last native fluent speakers in the 1930s, efforts to teach and speak the language continue to grow.
Why is it “humans” and not “humen”?
Because “man” and “human” are completely unrelated words!
“man” is a Germanic word that comes from Proto-Indo-European *man- ‘man’, but “human” is from Latin “humanus” ‘of man, human’, and comes from the Proto-Indo-European word *dhghem- ‘earth’!
Because “man” and “human” are completely unrelated words!
“man” is a Germanic word that comes from Proto-Indo-European *man- ‘man’, but “human” is from Latin “humanus” ‘of man, human’, and comes from the Proto-Indo-European word *dhghem- ‘earth’!
November 13, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Why is it “humans” and not “humen”?
Because “man” and “human” are completely unrelated words!
“man” is a Germanic word that comes from Proto-Indo-European *man- ‘man’, but “human” is from Latin “humanus” ‘of man, human’, and comes from the Proto-Indo-European word *dhghem- ‘earth’!
Because “man” and “human” are completely unrelated words!
“man” is a Germanic word that comes from Proto-Indo-European *man- ‘man’, but “human” is from Latin “humanus” ‘of man, human’, and comes from the Proto-Indo-European word *dhghem- ‘earth’!
Casey Harrell, age 47, lost his voice to ALS 5 years ago. Now a brain implant paired with a machine learning algorithm allows Harrell to communicate via a computerized voice at the same rate as natural speech. This is far faster than other brain-computer interfaces have accomplished in the past.
This brain implant lets a man who lost his speech to ALS produce natural-sounding sentences instantaneously
New brain-computer interface allows control of intonation, and generates a person’s voice at the speed of typical speech
www.science.org
November 12, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Casey Harrell, age 47, lost his voice to ALS 5 years ago. Now a brain implant paired with a machine learning algorithm allows Harrell to communicate via a computerized voice at the same rate as natural speech. This is far faster than other brain-computer interfaces have accomplished in the past.
Why do all languages have words for ‘this’ and ‘that’?
Researchers studied more than 1,000 speakers of 29 languages to see how they use demonstratives—words that show where something is in relation to the person talking (“this cat”, “that dog”).
Researchers studied more than 1,000 speakers of 29 languages to see how they use demonstratives—words that show where something is in relation to the person talking (“this cat”, “that dog”).
November 11, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Why do all languages have words for ‘this’ and ‘that’?
Researchers studied more than 1,000 speakers of 29 languages to see how they use demonstratives—words that show where something is in relation to the person talking (“this cat”, “that dog”).
Researchers studied more than 1,000 speakers of 29 languages to see how they use demonstratives—words that show where something is in relation to the person talking (“this cat”, “that dog”).
Yesterday’s “ampersand” is today’s “Elemeno Pea”.
Learn about the 27th letter of the alphabet in this week’s special guest issue of the Linguistic Discovery newsletter, by Joshua Blackburn @leagueofthelexicon.bsky.social
Learn about the 27th letter of the alphabet in this week’s special guest issue of the Linguistic Discovery newsletter, by Joshua Blackburn @leagueofthelexicon.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Yesterday’s “ampersand” is today’s “Elemeno Pea”.
Learn about the 27th letter of the alphabet in this week’s special guest issue of the Linguistic Discovery newsletter, by Joshua Blackburn @leagueofthelexicon.bsky.social
Learn about the 27th letter of the alphabet in this week’s special guest issue of the Linguistic Discovery newsletter, by Joshua Blackburn @leagueofthelexicon.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 5:25 PM
The Dolittle Prize awards up to half a million dollars for research that cracks the code of animal communication:
www.wired.com/story/artifi...
www.wired.com/story/artifi...
The Race to Translate Animal Sounds Into Human Language
With big cash prizes at stake—and AI supercharging research—interspecies translation is closer than ever. But what, if anything, would animals want to tell us?
www.wired.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:35 PM
The Dolittle Prize awards up to half a million dollars for research that cracks the code of animal communication:
www.wired.com/story/artifi...
www.wired.com/story/artifi...