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
What’s Going On with the Way Canadians Say ‘About’?
Everyone knows what Canadians are supposed to sound like: they are a people who pronounce “about” as “aboot” and add “eh” to the ends of sentences.
Language change and slang
guv
B objects to N’s guv ‘sir’ (used for a boss). B sees it as inappropriately informal: too matey.
Improve your English
Word of the day
London Language Lab has a very useful Word (or Phrase) of the Day feature, often focusing on useful chunks like such is life and how the other half lives.
Words, books, technology and language
The subtle art of translating foreign fiction
Some days later, in bed, I began reading it. The shock was tremendous, disorienting.
Voice activated
Dr Phillipa Rewaj explains how Speak:Unique, the Voicebank Research Project came about and how speech is central to maintaining identity and quality of life.
Video
7½ minutes of Sean Bean swearing
If you are a fan of Sean Bean and/or Sharpe and/or the humorous effects of cumulative (pretty mild) swearing, watch this. If you aren’t, don’t. (WARNING: contains swearing)
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