The World in Words focuses on language. We cover everything from bilingual education to the globalization of English to untranslatable foreign phrases. You’ll learn how to insult someone in Icelandic, among other things. Hosted by The World’s Patrick Cox.
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The World in Words
UK English Blown to US Shores, ‘Like Some Exotic Seed’
For decades, Brits have complained about American contamination of British English. More recently, the reverse has been taking place: British expressions are elbowing their way into American speech. So far, Americans don’t seem to mind.
A Call for English Only at the European Union
With 23 official languages– rising to 24 in July– the European Union is knee-deep in translated documents. Must every document be translated into Latvian and Irish? Or should the EU simplify matters by making English its working language? Also, the Webby Awards are known for 5-word acceptance speeches. Many are clever, few are boring, but are any truly memorable?
Composer Kevin James Finds Music in Disappearing Languages
New York City-based composer Kevin James’s Vanishing Languages Project explores the musicality in four endangered languages.
Getting Kids to Speak Africa’s Languages, One Doll at a Time
Language news with Cartoon Queen Carol and Patrick. We discuss the future of Yoruba, wine flavors in Chinese, some great subtitled TV dramas that Americans are missing out on and much more.
How an American Linguist Helped Unlock the Secrets of Linear B
In 1952, a mysterious Bronze Age script was deciphered by an Englishman, Michael Ventris. But his work rested in part on a Herculean analysis undertaken by an American linguist, Alice Kober. The World’s Alex Gallafent reports.
How Language and Culture Play into Phishing Scams
The Pentagon is accusing the Chinese military of cyber-spying on US businesses and government sites. Chinese hackers appear to have upgraded their skills. They are –like many hackers around the world– using better English.
The Many Historical Twists and Turns of Spanish
A conversation with writer Julie Barlow. Barlow and Jean-Benoit Nadeau are co-authors of “The Story of Spanish,” their follow-up to “The Story of French.” Though linguistically similar to French, Spanish has evolved with more freedom and variation, and is now far more widely spoken than French.
Penmanship and Personality: An Ode to the Handwritten Note
From a loved one’s hasty scrawl to Jack Lew’s “manufactured” signature, how much do people reveal about themselves in their handwriting? Author Philip Hensher says quite a bit, though not as much as handwriting experts sometimes claim. Hensher argues that digital communications deprive us of the intimacy of handwriting
How to Fake an Accent and Get Away With It
“Matilda,” now a Broadway hit, has a cast full of Americans doing British accents. We usually think of actors as carrying off the best fake accents. But others do it, sometimes with great success. What’s the secret?
Northern Ireland’s Past Through a Father’s Lens and Son’s Songs
The melding of photographs and songs help tell the story of Northern Ireland’s recent violent history. The photos were taken in the 1970s and 80s by award winning photojournalist Bobbie Hanvey. The songs are by Bobbie’s son, Steafán Hanvey.
A New Protestant Beginning for the Irish Language in Belfast
The Irish language used to be a symbol of Catholic nationalism. But it’s gradually becoming de-politicized, morphing into just another minority language in need of saving. You can see evidence of that change in community halls in Belfast, where a few Protestants are learning Irish.
Will New Words Change How We Think About Illegal Immigration?
The Associated Press is dropping the term, ‘illegal immigrant.’ Why? And what term to use in its place? We offer some suggestions from some non-English language media.
A New Beginning for the Kurdish Language in Turkey?
The Turkish government is loosening restrictions on teaching Kurdish in public schools. The question is whether it’s a political ploy, or a real attempt at making peace with Turkey’s Kurds.
Sugar Sammy: Quebec’s Multilingual Court Jester
Samir Khullar aka Sugar Sammy is the son of Indian immigrants who at home spoke Punjabi and Hindi, at school studied in French, and learned to tell jokes in English. He’s now taking his native Quebec by storm with stand-up comedy delivered in four languages.
‘Amnesty’: Sensitive Word in the Immigration Debate
A key sticking point to passing an immigration reform package in Congress will be how to handle the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the US. It’ll be tough to sort out, especially since many can’t even agree on a proper term for the process.
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