This post contains a weekly 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 and language change, and language education too.
Do contact us if you would like to submit a link for us to include. We’d love to hear from you.
Global English
Singapore Launches Speak Good English Movement 2010
I will leave just three questions in your mind. First, why do we use English? Second, why do we insist on “Good English”? Third, what do we mean by “Good English”?
Japan CEOs Learn ‘Globish’ to Expand Overseas as Economy Stalls
“My English is totally globish,” Matsumoto wrote on his weblog on July 1. “I don’t feel any inconvenience in speaking with various people from around the world, even if my pronunciation has a Japanese accent.”
Taxi drivers told to brush up on English
Taxi drivers in Cardiff will be required to present proof they have a strong understanding of English … The decision follows a meeting of the committee in July, in which members expressed concerns that the level of English language understanding by some city taxi drivers was still not up to scratch despite the required qualifications …
Language change and slang
Selfcation: the self-catering vacation
Out of context, you’d be forgiven for thinking a selfcation might mean a holiday from oneself (cf. me-cation, a holiday for oneself), but the text makes its meaning clear.
Language teaching and resources
Forget What You Know About Good Study Habits
Every September, millions of parents try a kind of psychological witchcraft, to transform their summer-glazed campers into fall students, their video-bugs into bookworms. Advice is cheap and all too familiar: Clear a quiet work space. Stick to a homework schedule. Set goals. Set boundaries. Do not bribe (except in emergencies).
Books, words, science and the history of language
On gonna
When it comes to linguistic mythology, it’s seems it’s a mad Mad world.
What Do Hobbits, Robots, and Yahoos Have In Common? They’re Famous Authors’ Made Up Words
Language is not discriminating — it’s a ravenous, all-encompassing beast, and its unpredictable evolution swallows and mutates words from all sources.
Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells
Residents of Tunbridge Wells have mixed feelings about their reputation. Some don’t like being perceived as narrow-minded killjoys, but others find it amusing.
Funny
the “blog” of “unnecessary” quotation marks
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