The internet has changed the speed of which we're able to pick up ways of speaking for other places. The international nature of certain English means that I can learn phrases from far-flung parts of the world and so on. And also just in terms of things like texting, that also affects how we interact. So there's always concerns about when new technologies come that it changes language. But because language is like a living thing, it changes all the time, then it's just another contribution to change.
Morten Christiansen is Professor of Psychology at Cornell University and Nick Chater is Professor of Behavioural Science at Warwick Business School. Together, they've written The Language Game, a new book which explores the science and psychology of language and some of its mysteries too. Hosting the discussion is journalist Christine Ro, whose work covers areas ranging from science and culture to international development.
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