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
Irishly having tea
That response Ah, you will!, and variations like Ah, go on and Sure you might as well and Would you not have a drop are so Irish that they have passed into parody.
Language change and slang
Let’s stop demonizing “filler words”
Reporting on language often frustrates me, and this was no exception. In fact, thirty-odd linguists — including me — sent them a letter detailing our many concerns with this article.
Improve your English
Pens, penance, and pancakes: the origin of shrove
What is this rare and unusual word shrove, and where does it come from?
Words, technology, and language
Pancake Day and Shrovetide: a pancake recipe linguistick
In the past, in different parts of Britain, the three days up to and including Shrove Tuesday were called Shrovetide, a time for letting off steam and letting one’s hair down before the enforced rigours of Lent.
Using time to think about time
One graffito in particular stopped me in my tracks. It read: “Every night ends.”
World book day
Best world book day costumes
It’s a celebration of books and reading, not a competition, but the child dressed as Professor Slughorn transfigured into an armchair definitely won the internet.
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