Rick Wojcik
@rickwojcik.bsky.social
Retired general linguist. Cognitive sciences (mainly linguistics & AI), linguistic theory, natural phonology, philosophy, science, history, liberal politics.
Reposted by Rick Wojcik
At this year's @lingcomm.bsky.social conference, we learned that the UK has been celebrating National Linguistics Day on November 26th, and everyone immediately went, hey, can't we make that World Linguistics Day?
Well, now it's only 20 days away, so time to get your celebration plans in order!
Well, now it's only 20 days away, so time to get your celebration plans in order!
Are you doing anything for World Linguistics Day on Nov 26th?
In our latest bonus episode, we get enthusiastic about linguistics-related celebrations, from International Mother Tongue Day to Talk Like A Pirate Day
In our latest bonus episode, we get enthusiastic about linguistics-related celebrations, from International Mother Tongue Day to Talk Like A Pirate Day
Bonus 105: World Linguistics Day | Lingthusiasm
Get more from Lingthusiasm on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:38 AM
At this year's @lingcomm.bsky.social conference, we learned that the UK has been celebrating National Linguistics Day on November 26th, and everyone immediately went, hey, can't we make that World Linguistics Day?
Well, now it's only 20 days away, so time to get your celebration plans in order!
Well, now it's only 20 days away, so time to get your celebration plans in order!
Trump has grabbed full power to levy taxes on imports by declaring emergencies. This case will test the ability of the conservative majority to distinguish Trump's emergencies from real ones. If Joe Biden had done this, that would have been an easy call for them.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/u...
Supreme Court Confronts Trump and His Tariffs in Test of Presidential Power
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Trump has grabbed full power to levy taxes on imports by declaring emergencies. This case will test the ability of the conservative majority to distinguish Trump's emergencies from real ones. If Joe Biden had done this, that would have been an easy call for them.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/u...
I've been composing a little Substack article on Chomsky's "revolution" and discovered that Wikipedia's page on transformational grammar does not even mention Zellig Harris. AI programs claim Chomsky invented it. Harris never really got the credit he deserved post Chomsky.
#linguistics #syntax
#linguistics #syntax
November 3, 2025 at 5:02 AM
I've been composing a little Substack article on Chomsky's "revolution" and discovered that Wikipedia's page on transformational grammar does not even mention Zellig Harris. AI programs claim Chomsky invented it. Harris never really got the credit he deserved post Chomsky.
#linguistics #syntax
#linguistics #syntax
Reposted by Rick Wojcik
Stephen Anderson was an exceptionally clear thinker (who I have constantly, absolutely, and very productively disagreed with). There are few linguistics works that I have read as many times as his "A-Morphous Morphology", an absolute treasure
Thanks to our colleagues at Yale for this obituary
🐦🐦
Thanks to our colleagues at Yale for this obituary
🐦🐦
Remembering Stephen Anderson
ling.yale.edu
October 31, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Stephen Anderson was an exceptionally clear thinker (who I have constantly, absolutely, and very productively disagreed with). There are few linguistics works that I have read as many times as his "A-Morphous Morphology", an absolute treasure
Thanks to our colleagues at Yale for this obituary
🐦🐦
Thanks to our colleagues at Yale for this obituary
🐦🐦
We are no longer the world's policeman. Now we are the world's vigilante avengers. He has ordered his (formerly our) military to prepare for war. Nobody expects the US Navy!
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Trump threatens to cut off aid to Nigeria, possible military action over claims of 'killing of Christians'
President Donald Trump said he has instructed the Pentagon to prepare for possible action in Nigeria, if the government "continues to allow the killing of Christians."
abcnews.go.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:36 AM
We are no longer the world's policeman. Now we are the world's vigilante avengers. He has ordered his (formerly our) military to prepare for war. Nobody expects the US Navy!
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Donald Trump has proposed an end to the filibuster, but Senate Republicans fear the consequences. Ending it would reopen the government and keep health care unaffordable. But their power trip would end if Democrats retake the Senate in the midterms.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Republicans quickly push back on Trump’s call to nix filibuster
Both Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson poured cold water on the idea Friday.
www.politico.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Donald Trump has proposed an end to the filibuster, but Senate Republicans fear the consequences. Ending it would reopen the government and keep health care unaffordable. But their power trip would end if Democrats retake the Senate in the midterms.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
I am a constituent of Adam Smith. He certainly represents my views on this issue. These boats should be boarded and searched for the drugs that they allegedly carry. Our navy should not be murdering people on the high seas.
Rep. Adam Smith: "This country has not agreed to have the death penalty for drug smuggling. If we want to have that policy conversation, we can have that policy conversation, but the president has unilaterally decided that lethal force is going to be applied. It's an enormous expansion of power."
October 31, 2025 at 4:29 PM
I am a constituent of Adam Smith. He certainly represents my views on this issue. These boats should be boarded and searched for the drugs that they allegedly carry. Our navy should not be murdering people on the high seas.
Russian pop singer Naoko has been jailed again for disrespecting Putin's regime. The Anti-Putin protest movement in Russia seems to be growing.
www.rferl.org/a/russia-mus...
www.rferl.org/a/russia-mus...
Russian Singer, Jailed For Antiwar Songs, Gets More Jail Time For Explicit Lyric
A St. Petersburg singer whose antiwar songs and impromptu street gigs have drawn an impassioned following had her jail detention extended, after a court ruled one of the lyrics to her music contained an expletive.
www.rferl.org
October 31, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Russian pop singer Naoko has been jailed again for disrespecting Putin's regime. The Anti-Putin protest movement in Russia seems to be growing.
www.rferl.org/a/russia-mus...
www.rferl.org/a/russia-mus...
Is anyone talking about how many million metric tons of soybeans we sold to China before Trump's trade war? It was 27 mmt in both 2023 and 2024. It will be 12 mmt this year and 25 mmt per year thru 2028. China resumes rare earth deliveries for one year.
iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/10/30/f...
iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/10/30/f...
Farm groups 'encouraged' by trade deal with China for U.S. soybeans • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Iowa farm groups and leadership celebrated Trump’s trade deal with China which included substantial purchases of soybeans.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Is anyone talking about how many million metric tons of soybeans we sold to China before Trump's trade war? It was 27 mmt in both 2023 and 2024. It will be 12 mmt this year and 25 mmt per year thru 2028. China resumes rare earth deliveries for one year.
iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/10/30/f...
iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/10/30/f...
Amazon and other corporations have found a way to avoid blaming Trump's chaotic economy for mass layoffs. Job cuts are to be expected in economic downturns. The impact of AI on profits is unclear.
#AI #economy
www.nbcnews.com/business/bus...
#AI #economy
www.nbcnews.com/business/bus...
Tens of thousands of layoffs are being blamed on AI. What are companies actually getting?
Amazon announced a reorganization that will result in the elimination of 14,000 jobs — and said AI is a leading cause.
www.nbcnews.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Amazon and other corporations have found a way to avoid blaming Trump's chaotic economy for mass layoffs. Job cuts are to be expected in economic downturns. The impact of AI on profits is unclear.
#AI #economy
www.nbcnews.com/business/bus...
#AI #economy
www.nbcnews.com/business/bus...
The article contains a picture of Bovino himself throwing a tear gas canister at the peaceful crowd.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/28/j...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/28/j...
Judge Blasts Border Patrol Boss Greg Bovino For Violating Excessive Force Order
“Kids dressed in Halloween costumes walking to a parade do not pose an immediate threat to the safety of a law enforcement officer,” U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis told Bovino during a court hearing T...
blockclubchicago.org
October 28, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The article contains a picture of Bovino himself throwing a tear gas canister at the peaceful crowd.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/28/j...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/28/j...
The Republicans may now be willing to take down the filibuster in order to ram their health care cuts down the throat of the public. Bad news for Democrats and the public now, but what goes around comes around.
thehill.com/opinion/cong...
thehill.com/opinion/cong...
thehill.com
October 26, 2025 at 9:49 PM
The Republicans may now be willing to take down the filibuster in order to ram their health care cuts down the throat of the public. Bad news for Democrats and the public now, but what goes around comes around.
thehill.com/opinion/cong...
thehill.com/opinion/cong...
The military threat to the US from tiny boats off the coast of South America is growing exponentially. Luckily, our president is sending an aircraft carrier task force to deal with the problem.
Drug cartels should have seen this coming.
Drug cartels should have seen this coming.
www.reuters.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:23 PM
The military threat to the US from tiny boats off the coast of South America is growing exponentially. Luckily, our president is sending an aircraft carrier task force to deal with the problem.
Drug cartels should have seen this coming.
Drug cartels should have seen this coming.
Nobody authorized Trump to destroy the East Wing of the White House. Congress didn't fund a ballroom in its place. He just did it. His lackeys in the administration will fund it on their own authority. Trump is a de facto dictator. No guardrails.
www.npr.org/2025/10/20/g...
www.npr.org/2025/10/20/g...
The White House starts demolishing part of the East Wing to build Trump's ballroom
Dramatic photos show construction equipment tearing into the East Wing façade and windows, though the federal agency that oversees such projects has not approved President Trump's 90,000-square-foot, ...
www.npr.org
October 21, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Nobody authorized Trump to destroy the East Wing of the White House. Congress didn't fund a ballroom in its place. He just did it. His lackeys in the administration will fund it on their own authority. Trump is a de facto dictator. No guardrails.
www.npr.org/2025/10/20/g...
www.npr.org/2025/10/20/g...
We haven't seen this kind of abuse of people by the government since the days of the Civil Rights movement. They simply called him "migra" and thought they could manhandle him in any way they pleased. Back then it was the local police. Now it is federal agents.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
This is so wrong. Are Americans going to tolerate, even approve, of crap like this?
This is so wrong. Are Americans going to tolerate, even approve, of crap like this?
Immigration agents told a teenage US citizen: ‘You’ve got no rights.’ He secretly recorded his brutal arrest
Video from Kenny Laynez-Ambrosio, 18, puts fresh scrutiny on the harsh tactics used to reach the Trump administration’s ambitious enforcement targets
www.theguardian.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:13 AM
We haven't seen this kind of abuse of people by the government since the days of the Civil Rights movement. They simply called him "migra" and thought they could manhandle him in any way they pleased. Back then it was the local police. Now it is federal agents.
Oh, no! Donald Trump's Nobel Peace Prize is at risk! Maybe it would help if he renamed the Department of War to the Department of Peace?
www.npr.org/2025/10/19/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/19/n...
Israel strikes Gaza as both IDF and Hamas accuse each other of breaching ceasefire
The Israel Defense Forces said Sunday it responded after "terrorists" attacked troops operating in the Rafah area with gunfire and an anti-tank missile. Hamas said it was unaware of the clashes.
www.npr.org
October 19, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Oh, no! Donald Trump's Nobel Peace Prize is at risk! Maybe it would help if he renamed the Department of War to the Department of Peace?
www.npr.org/2025/10/19/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/19/n...
Trump decided to have a talk with Putin. Suddenly, he is Putin's buddy again. No Tomahawk missiles and no security agreement for Ukraine. He is not called "TACO" for nothing.
www.axios.com/2025/10/17/t...
www.axios.com/2025/10/17/t...
Trump rejects Zelensky on Tomahawk missiles in "tough" meeting
One source said the meeting "was not easy." Another simply said "it was bad."
www.axios.com
October 18, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Trump decided to have a talk with Putin. Suddenly, he is Putin's buddy again. No Tomahawk missiles and no security agreement for Ukraine. He is not called "TACO" for nothing.
www.axios.com/2025/10/17/t...
www.axios.com/2025/10/17/t...
Did he not store it in a secure bathroom in his home? Why is this a crime?
apnews.com/article/john...
apnews.com/article/john...
Ex-Trump national security adviser Bolton charged with storing and sharing classified information
Former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton has been charged with storing top secret records at home and sharing with relatives notes that contained classified information.
apnews.com
October 16, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Did he not store it in a secure bathroom in his home? Why is this a crime?
apnews.com/article/john...
apnews.com/article/john...
The Republican majority on the Supreme Court understands the impact that the Voting Rights Act has on their party's chances to stay in power.
The Supreme Court Might Net Republicans 19 Congressional Seats in One Fell Swoop
On Wednesday, the justices will take the extraordinary step of rehearing Louisiana v. Callais.
slate.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:33 PM
The Republican majority on the Supreme Court understands the impact that the Voting Rights Act has on their party's chances to stay in power.
Jeh Johnson believes that there should be reconciliation after Trump, that there should be few, if any, prosecutions of those who carried out his illegal orders. He called it political retaliation, but where is the rule of law if there are no consequences for breaking laws?
Jeh Johnson: "Somebody managed to snatch scandal out of the jaws of victory. This should have been a good news day for President Donald Trump."
October 10, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Jeh Johnson believes that there should be reconciliation after Trump, that there should be few, if any, prosecutions of those who carried out his illegal orders. He called it political retaliation, but where is the rule of law if there are no consequences for breaking laws?
Conservatives on the Supreme Court want to allow legislators to restrict what teachers can say in a classroom and how doctors can advise and treat patients. Now they seem seem to want to block legal bans on conversion therapy. How will they thread that needle? Should be interesting.
www.reuters.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Conservatives on the Supreme Court want to allow legislators to restrict what teachers can say in a classroom and how doctors can advise and treat patients. Now they seem seem to want to block legal bans on conversion therapy. How will they thread that needle? Should be interesting.
Supreme Court has made racial profiling legal. The justification was left unsaid, but it was ostensibly to allow Trump's ICE police to randomly detain people they feel look like illegal immigrants. The result, of course, is that a lot of actual US citizens are being harassed and detained.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh and racial proxies
Immigration Matters is a recurring series by César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández that analyzes the court’s immigration docket, highlighting emerging legal questions about new policy and enforcement prac...
www.scotusblog.com
October 1, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Supreme Court has made racial profiling legal. The justification was left unsaid, but it was ostensibly to allow Trump's ICE police to randomly detain people they feel look like illegal immigrants. The result, of course, is that a lot of actual US citizens are being harassed and detained.
The CEO at Sinclair has suddenly discovered that censoring shows for political reasons isn't the best business strategy.
Sinclair brings Jimmy Kimmel's show back to its ABC-affiliated stations, ending blackout
Sinclair Broadcast Group has decided to bring Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show back to its ABC affiliate stations.
apnews.com
September 26, 2025 at 6:55 PM
The CEO at Sinclair has suddenly discovered that censoring shows for political reasons isn't the best business strategy.
Reposted by Rick Wojcik
Hello new followers! If you're interested in what I do why not have a look at @stefanhartmann.bsky.social and my little #openaccess monograph on Cognitive #Linguistics and #Language Evolution!
As a colleague said: "I really liked it, because it's very short!"
www.cambridge.org/core/element...
As a colleague said: "I really liked it, because it's very short!"
www.cambridge.org/core/element...
October 18, 2024 at 12:28 AM
Hello new followers! If you're interested in what I do why not have a look at @stefanhartmann.bsky.social and my little #openaccess monograph on Cognitive #Linguistics and #Language Evolution!
As a colleague said: "I really liked it, because it's very short!"
www.cambridge.org/core/element...
As a colleague said: "I really liked it, because it's very short!"
www.cambridge.org/core/element...