English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with over half a billion people using it as their first language and nearly two billion more who consider themselves fluent speakers. This can make it surprisingly easy for Americans to pinpoint a destination where learning a new language isnโt a must. Still, not every country or [...]
If one thing is certain about language, itโs that it changes. As people develop new ways of expressing themselves, explaining phenomena, and crafting ideas, language must be malleable enough to adapt to these needs. Within this microcosm of change sits slangโoften informal linguistic niches that are primarily constrained to specific groups or contexts. Believe it or not, the kitchen is [...]
In this three-part series, we have been exploring how politicians can use language to sway support for their causes, devalue the stances of the opposition, and change voter perception surrounding key issues. While strategies ranging from metaphor to simplification are effective at turning the tide of voter turnout, few linguistic moves are as potent as โus vs. themโ rhetoric. [...]
In last weekโs post, we explored the linguistic figures of speech that political candidates may use to change public perception. However, these are not the only strategies at their disposal. Politicians use strategic language to frame issues to their advantage. From how economic policies are often branded in ways that make them more appealing to the need to distill [...]
The language an individual chooses mattersโand for politicians, the power of words goes beyond simple literal meaning. In every part of the world, politicians use specific language techniques, such as slogans, metaphors, and emotional appeals, to influence voters' perceptions and create strong impressions. With the American presidential election on the horizon, voters should be equipped to understand how each [...]
Over two centuries ago, Paul Revere rode on horseback across the Massachusetts countryside declaring, โThe British are coming.โ That, of course, was a warning about an impending war. Today, the British are making an altogether different kind of incursion into the US: with their language. Thatโs the claim that Ben Yagoda makes in his latest book, Gobsmacked! The British [...]
Code switching is the practice of adjusting oneโs speech or writing depending on the circumstances or audience. While some code switching can occur between languages, more often, it arises in variances of dialect or even slang. For instance, imagine a lawyer speaking before a judge. People generally understand that this lawyer would do well to speak formally and politely [...]
Suppose that a young woman from Argentina immigrated with her family to the United States. She has always dreamed of being a psychologist, but upon enrolling in university education to start her training, she discovers that many of the classes (taught in English) are moving at a pace too fast for her to enthusiastically engage with because English is [...]
Whether youโre a native speaker of American English or youโre just starting to pick it up, youโve likely noticed how common it is to hear references to sports in conversations regardless of whether the conversation was casual, formal, or even business-related. Americans who reference sports in conversations usually do so through the use of idioms โ a phrase or [...]
What Is a โPidginโ? A pidgin is a type of language used for limited communication between groups who otherwise do not share common linguistic grounds. It is a means of understanding (and being understood) without each party needing to learn the otherโs language. While some pidgins remain mostly utilitarian in areas of trade and cohabitation, others become more widely [...]
