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.
Language change and slang
School – Holiday
School means holiday. Or, at least, it used to.
Ten slang phrases that perfectly sum up their era
The undisputed master of slang lexicography (yes, it’s a thing) chooses ten words and phrases that sum up the age they spring from.
Global English
Tagalog in California, Cherokee in Arkansas
One of the most interesting data sets for aspiring mapmakers is the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Among other things, that survey includes a detailed look at the languages spoken in American homes.
Language teaching and resources
I need real people to help me learn a language
Guardian journalist Alan Haburchak has been attempting to learn Spanish using just his smartphone. A few weeks in he hit some snags.
Books, science, dictionaries, words and language
British Library puts 1,200 ‘literary treasures’ on new website
From Brontë childhood writings to press coverage of Oscar Wilde’s trial, Victorian and Romantic treasures are first tranche of world’s largest digital English literature resource.
Schwa Fire
A new online magazine dedicated to language journalism. Some articles have to paid for, but some are free.
Fun
Scottish referendum cartoon
In September Scots will vote on independence. This cartoon by Matt has fun with the name of the ‘No’ campaign and Scots’ alleged fondness for deep fried food.
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