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United States

This tag is associated with 53 posts

The BBC’s Koneksyon Ayiti + Yiddish forever

By Patrick Cox ⋅ March 9, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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In the latest World in Words podcast: Eleven days after Haiti’s earthquake, the BBC began daily radio broadcasts in Haitian Creole. We hear how the broadcasts kept Haitians abreast of the news and put them in touch with loved ones. Also, the past, present and future of Yiddish. Once spoken by millions in Europe, it was nearly wiped out in the Holocaust and through assimilation. Today it survives, and not only as the language that gave English klutz, kosher, kvetch and many other evocative expressions. Download MP3

Packing flashcards, Pandas and Polyglotty Olympics

By Patrick Cox ⋅ March 4, 2010 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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Our top five language stories this month: why the disappearance of the Bo language is a big deal; the Olympics are being broadcast for the first time in, among other languages, Cree; when pandas move from the U.S. to China, do they have to learn a new language?; lawsuits concerning Arabic flashcards in hand baggage and speaking Spanish in English-only school; and the Pentagon’s latest attempts to equip soldiers with real-time speaking translator-bots.
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Obama’s new words, Avatar in the Amazon and a Chinese satire

By Patrick Cox ⋅ February 5, 2010 ⋅ 2 comments ⋅ Transcript

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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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Real runners do it barefoot

By The World ⋅ January 27, 2010 ⋅ 3 comments ⋅ Transcript

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A new study finds that people who run barefoot move very differently from people who run in modern athletic shoes. The research, conducted in the U.S. and Kenya, found that shoeless runners land on the front or middle of the foot, whereas shod runners land on the heel, therefore increasing the odds of athletic injuries. Keith Seinfeld of station KPLU will have the story later today. (Photo: Harvard University) Download MP3

Weird words like whiffling, and the elusive meaning of peace

By Patrick Cox ⋅ January 18, 2010 ⋅ 3 comments ⋅ Transcript

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justice and peace

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

By Patrick Cox ⋅ January 11, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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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.

Vote for gay marriage in Mexico City

By The World ⋅ December 22, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Mexico City lawmakers voted to make their city the first in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriages. But the move has many opponents around Mexico. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Jose Carreno, a contributor to the Mexican newspaper Excelsior.

Words your grandmother taught you in Chinese, Dutch and Yiddish

By Patrick Cox ⋅ November 30, 2009 ⋅ 2 comments ⋅ Transcript

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Many people learned their first foreign words from their grandmothers. Marco Werman learned a Dutch curse. Nina Porzucki learned a Yiddish word that speaks to a certain Jewish mindset. Marilyn Chin learned insults, puns and tongue twisters, many of which later found their way into Chin’s poetry and fiction.
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Spelling Obama in Chinese, oratory, and chop suey love

By The World ⋅ November 20, 2009 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

flower-drum-song

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In this all-Chinese pod, how to spell Obama in Chinese. Then, the contrasting oratorical styles of presidents Hu and Obama. That’s followed by something on a type of Chinese idiom known as chengyu. Then to the UK, where Confucian philosophy infuses Chinese language classes in five public schools. Finally, poet Marilyn Chin on why she loves the expression chop suey.

Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize

By The World ⋅ October 9, 2009 ⋅ 29 comments ⋅ Transcript

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Today, Barack Obama became the third sitting U.S. President to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised Obama for “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” The announcement drew both warm praise and sharp criticism. We’ll gauge international reaction to the announcement and the World’s Jeb Sharp puts it into historical perspective. What do you think of Obama’s win? Leave a comment below. Download MP3 Photo: White House

Conservation Refugees: An interview with Mark Dowie

By The World ⋅ October 9, 2009 ⋅ 2 comments ⋅ Transcript

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The Mountain gorilla (pictured) is one of the endangered species protected in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. But what about the Batwa people native to that protected land? In his new book Conservation Refugees, journalist Mark Dowie explores how land conservation affects the lives of the people on and near the preserves. Download MP3 Photo: Sabine’s Sunshine

Overhauling America’s financial system

By The World ⋅ September 14, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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President Barack Obama has called on Congress to approve an overhaul of the US regulatory regime. In a speech marking one year since the collapse of Lehman Brothers bank, he also mounted a vigorous defense of his administration’s economic policies. Marco Werman talked with the BBC’s Economics Correspondent Andrew Walker (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Download MP3

Global spellers gather in NYC

By The World ⋅ August 10, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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A regional contestant in the SpellEvent Championship

A regional contestant in the SpellEvent Championship

Today in New York City, teenagers from seven non-English-speaking countries competed to become the best speller in English. It was the First Annual Global SpellEvent Championship, organized by Franklin Electronic Publishers. The winner received a scholarship worth $10,000. >>>Click here for more information on the event.

Annual ceremony

By The World ⋅ August 6, 2009 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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We board a trolley in the city we are looking for in today’s Geo Quiz. We’ll cross two rivers. And we’ll pass a shopping street that you could easily mistake for New York or Los Angeles…

Afghanistan prepares for elections

By The World ⋅ August 5, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Afghan Elections in 2005

Afghanistan is gearing up for nationwide elections later this month. It’s only the second time Afghans will select a president since the Taliban were ousted in 2001. There’s been a sharp rise in violence in the run-up to these elections. Still, with only two weeks until election day the campaign is in full swing. The World’s Aaron Schachter reports from Kabul. >>>Click here for more of Aaron’s stories from Afghanistan.