Obama’s new words, Avatar in the Amazon and a Chinese satire

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As Obama enters the second year of his presidency, he’s dropped some expressions — “war on terror”, “Af-Pak”, even “Middle East”. His administration has invented a few too: “remotedly piloted aircraft” (drones) and “overseas contingency operations” (wars). Also, a special screening of Avatar in Ecuador for indigenous groups. What did these Shuar and Achuar speakers think of Avatar’s invented language, Na’vi? Finally, a new online satirical movie is all the rage in China. It features a Chinese double-entendre phrase aimed at avoiding government censorship. The movie also includes a fantastic “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” rant.
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New York’s polyglot cops, Arabic online, and the planet’s most difficult language

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Our top five language stories this month: best and worst words of the year and the decade; Georgia launches a Russian language TV channel to counter the Kremlin’s message; new ventures and technologies give a boost to Arabic online; just how many cases, genders and moods it takes to make one Amazonian language the world’s most difficult; and the New York Police Department, now enforcing the law in nearly a hundred languages.Download MP3

Weird words like whiffling, and the elusive meaning of peace

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A conversation with Adam Jacot de Boinod, a seeker of obscure but colorful English expressions. If you read his new book, “The Wonder of Whiffling”, you’ll know whether you prefer to muppet shuffle or dwile flunk. You’ll know if you are a pozzy-wallah. Some of expressions are brand new, others long gone. Also, the meaning of the word peace. Barack Obama was the latest figure to tweak its definition when he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize and made the argument for “just war”. Download MP3

Hebrew’s revival, Turkey’s banned letters, and Q

Hebrew is most successful attempt ever at language revival. We find out why. Also, Malaysians are rioting after a court rules that a Catholic newspaper can use the word Allah. Then, two reports on alphabet letters: in Sweden, parents win the right to name their newborn Q; and in Turkey, using the Kurdish-associated letters Q, W or X can land you in jail. And, a two-nations-divided-by-one-language examination of the word grit.

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Spanish prayers, Hebrew planet names and a Danish hangover

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We talk to the director and central figure in a PBS documentary about a Catholic church’s struggles with language. “Scenes From a Parish” follows the priests and parishioners of St Patrick’s in Lawrence, MA. The priests introduce more Spanish masses to cater to Lawrence’s predominantly Latino population. Some English-speaking parishioners are less than thrilled. Also, how do you say Neptune and Uranus in Hebrew? The answer used to be: Neptune and Uranus. Now the two planets have Hebrew names. Finally, a New Year’s Day hangover courtesy of the good people of Denmark
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Exchange could impact Palestinian politics

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A leading Palestinian leader who is currently in an Israeli jail could be released as part of a prisoner exchanged being negotiated. The World’s Aaron Schachter reports on the role Marwan Barghouti could play in Palestinian politics.

Geo answer

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For today’s Geo Quiz we asked where the name of a US base in Afghanistan comes from. The base is called “Forward Operating Base Frontenac.” The original Fort Frontenac is in Canada — in Kingston, Ontario — and that’s the answer to our quiz. Anchor Marco Werman gets the full story from military historian John Grodzinkski of Canada’s Royal Military College.

Fort Frontenac

A little military history might come in handy for today’s Geo Quiz. Forward Operating Base Frontenac is at the front line of the Afghanistan war.

Global Political Cartoons: Dec 12 – 18, 2009

The World’s Carol Hills reviews the week’s news through political cartoons from around the globe. This week: the Earth fumes, economic giants continue to belch c02s, and Copenhagen produces an agreement that’s about as helpful as half a life raft.

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NATO summit next for President Obama (4:50)

President Obama’s first strut across the world stage is not over. As The World’s Gerry Hadden reports, tomorrow the American president attends a NATO summit where he is expected to get an earful about how the 60-year-old organization should move forward regarding Russia and Afghanistan.