The influence of the Bible and Christianity in modern culture is difficult to overstate, even for non-religious people. From the beloved Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris to Cristo Redentor towering over Rio de Janeiro, the Western world is steeped in Christian imagery. It can be argued that none of these cultural monuments would have survived into the 21st century if [...]
In the first part of this series, we looked at how wills originated as a social practice and legal provision. Weโll move on to something a little more lighthearted in this, the second installment in this series. Although wills are usually a somber matter, there are some that stand out for the way theyโre structured and the unique items [...]
In our previous article, The Origin and Uses of Runes: The History That Drives Modern Runic, we covered where Futhark runes came from, how they were used, and what constitutes a rune. While the use of Futhark is no longer a daily occurrence, these symbols are still pervasive in cultures around the globeโfor both favorable and reprehensible reasons. The [...]
Over 60% of the worldโs population now speaks two or more languages. One exciting area of linguistic science is the idea that polyglots (individuals who speak multiple languages) often feel that they have โmultiple personalitiesโ โ one per language. For example, a person who speaks both Spanish and English may feel or even come off as a different person to [...]
Birth certificates, passports, driving licenses, social security cards, and on and on. There is a seemingly endless stream of legal documents that one is obligated to create through their lifetime to prove their personhood, citizenship, and privileges. One document that holds special legal import not just while youโre alive, but even after, is your will and testament. As youโre [...]
Runes may be part of a linguistic system whose daily use is lost to time, but their effects can still be felt today. From technological symbols to ornamentation in fiction TV, the runic alphabet has encountered many changes but continues to hold fast against extinction. Hereโs a history of runes: where they came from, what they are made of, [...]
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 [...]
