Lexicon Valley from Booksmart Studios Fire, Die, Rim
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Mar 11, 2025 Discover the intriguing similarities between Thai and English words like fire and die, revealing fascinating linguistic connections. Explore the unexpected etymological links between 'king' and 'rabbit' across several languages, showcasing the quirks of language evolution. Dive into the concept of convergent evolution with hilarious musical ties, celebrating nature’s diversity. Unravel the rich history of language transformation and unique Appalachian expressions, highlighting cultural influences that shape how we communicate.
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Three Possibilities for Similar Words
- Similar words in different languages can be due to borrowing, chance, or shared ancestry.
- John McWhorter explores these possibilities with Thai words similar to English.
Borrowed Words: Dog, Shirt, and Skirt
- The Russian word for "dog" (sabaka) is borrowed from Middle Iranian, not Slavic.
- English also borrows from many languages, including Old Norse and French.
Japanese and English: Coincidental Similarities
- Despite vast differences, Japanese has words that sound eerily similar to English, like "mo" (more) and "so" (like so).
- These similarities arose purely by chance.
