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.
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...
A prisoner in the Arizona State Prison system decided to reconnect with his Welsh heritage by studying the Welsh language. Now he leads a group of inmates who are independently studying endangered, ancient, and vulnerable languages—Welsh, Brittonic, Assyrian, Old Norse, Taíno, Nahuatl, and Guosa.
'I've never been so excited': Inmate-led program preserves endangered languages behind Az bars
Thomas Steres, an inmate in Arizona, founded the Linguistic Legacies Initiative to teach endangered languages such as Welsh, Nahuatl and Guosa while incarcerated in a state prison in Buckeye, Ariz.
www.tucsonsentinel.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:35 PM
A prisoner in the Arizona State Prison system decided to reconnect with his Welsh heritage by studying the Welsh language. Now he leads a group of inmates who are independently studying endangered, ancient, and vulnerable languages—Welsh, Brittonic, Assyrian, Old Norse, Taíno, Nahuatl, and Guosa.
Archaeologists have discovered a stone tablet at a Tartessian site in southwestern Spain that depicts battle scenes in the center and a partial alphabet in a Paleo-Hispanic script along the edges (21 signs total).
www.livescience.com/archaeology/...
www.livescience.com/archaeology/...
November 8, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Archaeologists have discovered a stone tablet at a Tartessian site in southwestern Spain that depicts battle scenes in the center and a partial alphabet in a Paleo-Hispanic script along the edges (21 signs total).
www.livescience.com/archaeology/...
www.livescience.com/archaeology/...
The oldest runestone yet found was discovered in Norway in 2023. Known as the Svingerud Runestone, it dates to sometime between 0–250 CE, potentially making it the earliest instance of writing in Scandanavia.
November 7, 2025 at 8:35 PM
The oldest runestone yet found was discovered in Norway in 2023. Known as the Svingerud Runestone, it dates to sometime between 0–250 CE, potentially making it the earliest instance of writing in Scandanavia.
Does the language you speak affect how you see the world?
This idea is called the *linguistic relativity hypothesis* or *Sapir-Whorf hypothesis*, and the @Lingthusiasm.bsky.social podcast put out a great episode treating this topic back in March.
This idea is called the *linguistic relativity hypothesis* or *Sapir-Whorf hypothesis*, and the @Lingthusiasm.bsky.social podcast put out a great episode treating this topic back in March.
Lingthusiasm - Lingthusiasm Episode 102: The science and fiction...
Lingthusiasm Episode 102: The science and fiction of Sapir-Whorf It’s a fun science fiction trope: learn a mysterious alien language and acquire superpowers, just like if you’d been zapped by a…
lingthusiasm.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Does the language you speak affect how you see the world?
This idea is called the *linguistic relativity hypothesis* or *Sapir-Whorf hypothesis*, and the @Lingthusiasm.bsky.social podcast put out a great episode treating this topic back in March.
This idea is called the *linguistic relativity hypothesis* or *Sapir-Whorf hypothesis*, and the @Lingthusiasm.bsky.social podcast put out a great episode treating this topic back in March.
Invented languages and the science of mind: Linguists use constructed languages to explore how children perceive language
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lang...
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lang...
Invented Languages and the Science of the Mind
Constructed languages have been used in religion, ritual, art, and entertainment. They're also being used in science to probe the structure of the mind.
www.psychologytoday.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Invented languages and the science of mind: Linguists use constructed languages to explore how children perceive language
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lang...
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lang...
@laurainparis.bsky.social I really enjoyed your article about ancient plagues in New Scientist this week! Fascinating!
www.newscientist.com/article/2500...
www.newscientist.com/article/2500...
How a surge in ancient plagues 5000 years ago shaped humanity
Plague, leprosy, smallpox and other diseases didn't jump from animals to humans when we thought. Ancient DNA is revealing where they come from and how they changed history
www.newscientist.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:25 PM
@laurainparis.bsky.social I really enjoyed your article about ancient plagues in New Scientist this week! Fascinating!
www.newscientist.com/article/2500...
www.newscientist.com/article/2500...
Check out this recent book that uses the study of online cat discourse to teach sociolinguistics!
What a cool way to introduce people to the field of sociolinguistics. You might be surprised at just how much we can learn about language from cat memes.
What a cool way to introduce people to the field of sociolinguistics. You might be surprised at just how much we can learn about language from cat memes.
October 31, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Check out this recent book that uses the study of online cat discourse to teach sociolinguistics!
What a cool way to introduce people to the field of sociolinguistics. You might be surprised at just how much we can learn about language from cat memes.
What a cool way to introduce people to the field of sociolinguistics. You might be surprised at just how much we can learn about language from cat memes.
‘Rizz’ vs. ‘skibidi’: Why some slang words stick around and others fade away
What gives some slang staying power? Linguistic experts weigh in on Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang words.
www.fastcompany.com/91142295/riz...
What gives some slang staying power? Linguistic experts weigh in on Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang words.
www.fastcompany.com/91142295/riz...
October 30, 2025 at 7:35 PM
‘Rizz’ vs. ‘skibidi’: Why some slang words stick around and others fade away
What gives some slang staying power? Linguistic experts weigh in on Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang words.
www.fastcompany.com/91142295/riz...
What gives some slang staying power? Linguistic experts weigh in on Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang words.
www.fastcompany.com/91142295/riz...
Need a new podcast to listen to? Here’s a list of over 60 linguistics podcasts:
linguisticdiscovery.com/podcasts
#podcasts #linguistics #language
linguisticdiscovery.com/podcasts
#podcasts #linguistics #language
October 29, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Need a new podcast to listen to? Here’s a list of over 60 linguistics podcasts:
linguisticdiscovery.com/podcasts
#podcasts #linguistics #language
linguisticdiscovery.com/podcasts
#podcasts #linguistics #language