Pet-Speak: From Meowlogisms to Zoomies. 'Imply' or 'Infer'?
Apr 9, 2024
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Susan Herman, a retired U.S. government language analyst, talks about pet-speak and linguistic wonders of pet communication. The podcast explores 'imply' versus 'infer', cativerse vocabulary, and doggo dialects. Delve into online language variation, unique pet habits, and etymological insights on the often-confused words. Fun anecdotes and sponsor ads add to the entertaining discussion.
Online pet culture influences linguistic trends, creating pet-specific communication styles online.
The distinction between 'imply' and 'infer' is clarified, enhancing understanding of these commonly misused terms.
Deep dives
Online Trends in Pet Culture
The podcast delves into the online pet culture phenomenon, highlighting the prevalence of pets in households worldwide. With cats and dogs being the most popular pets, there is a substantial presence of pet-related content on social media platforms. These furry companions are considered part of the family, leading to the creation of unique ways to communicate about them online. Professionals like Austrian professor Edith Potoevnik have even studied cat and dog language online, exploring linguistic concepts through pet-related communication.
Pet Speak Linguistic Analysis
The episode discusses the linguistic analysis of pet speak, focusing on the specific linguistic attributes observed in online cat and dog communication. Notably, the analysis includes examining social dialectology, non-standard language usage, spelling variations, grammar quirks, and invented words, known as neologisms. This linguistic exploration sheds light on how humans anthropomorphize their pets, attributing human-like language traits to their furry companions.
Cultural Impact of Pet Language
The podcast highlights how pet-centric language and culture have influenced online interactions and communication across various platforms. Through humorous memes, vocabulary variations, and unique concepts like 'cat tax' and 'chunk chart,' pet lovers worldwide engage in pet-specific linguistic practices. This cultural phenomenon transcends borders, with cat and dog language elements being borrowed by different languages, indicating a global impact on pet-related communication.
976. How have our pets influenced the way we use language? This week, we dive into the "cativerse" and explore the vocabulary, grammar, and spelling habits of our furry friends. From LOLcats to doggo dialects, discover the linguistic wonders of how we talk about our beloved pets. Plus, don't get tripped up by "imply" versus "infer." In the second segment, we dive into the definitions, origins, and proper usage of these often-confused words.
The pet-speak segment was written by Susan Herman, a retired U.S. government multidisciplined language analyst, analytic editor, and instructor.