Podcast favorite David Crystal returns to In a Manner of Speaking for the September 2024 episode. The legendary linguist is back to discuss his new website, TraceThatPlace.com, which allows users to enter a British place name and learn all about its origin and history. You’ll also be able to hear the place’s (often bizarre, ambiguous) pronunciation.

Billed as the site that allows you to explore “the story and sound of place names on the road signs and railway stations of Britain,” TraceThatPlace took David about three years to create. On this month’s podcast, he and Paul discuss not just the site but the fascinating etymology and evolution of place names.

This is David’s sixth appearance on the podcast. His prior appearances:
June 2018 (Episode 5): Pragmatics
November 2019 (Episode 22): Received Pronunciation (RP)
September 2021 (Episode 44): Let’s Talk
September 2022 (Episode 56): Sounds Appealing
September 2023 (Episode 68): English Through the Ages

For more information about David, visit DavidCrystal.com and ShakespearesWords.com. And visit his YouTube channel.

(Bach’s Cello Suite #1 in G Major BMV 1007 Prelude (by Ivan Dolgunov) is courtesy of Jamendo Licensing.)