This post contains a selection of links related to language and words in the news. These can be items from the latest news, blog posts or interesting websites related to global English, language change, education in general, and language learning and teaching in particular. Feel free to contact us if you would like to submit a link for us to include, or just add a comment to the post, with the link(s) you’d like to share.
Global English
Snollygosters and Presidents
Here’s the inkyfool himself, Mark Forsyth, creator of one of my favourite language blogs, talking about how the leader of the free world came to be known as the President.
Language change and slang
‘Espanglish’ and the Royal Spanish Academy
Recently the Royal Spanish Academy has included “espanglish” in its official dictionary. Does that mean Spanglish is now sanctioned and acceptable as a variant of Spanish?
Improve your English
Conscience vs. Conscious
What’s the difference between conscience and conscious? They stem from the same Latin root, but their usage is distinct.
Language teaching and resources
P is for Postmodern method
Language learning, whether classroom-based or naturalistic, whether in an EFL or an ESL context, is capricious, opportunistic, idiosyncratic and seldom amenable to external manipulation.
Books, dictionaries, words and languages
Envoy’s wife creates first Japanese-Albanian dictionary
As a lexicographer who has always worked in teams, I’m fascinated by the brave souls who produce dictionaries on their own. That’s what the wife of the Albanian ambassador to Japan has done.
The Worst Font in the World
Before the London Olympics turned into such an unexpected success, knocking them was something of a national sport. This was Simon Garfield’s judgement on the font chosen for London 2012.
A Dictionary of Despicable Words
The Atlantic Wire asked its readers for their most hated words. Here’s what they came up with.
Cartoon
Olympic ghost town
This cartoon by Schrank from The Independent relates to reports that the Olympics have turned parts of London into a ‘ghost town’.
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