Slate Debates
Slate Podcasts
A feed from the Slate podcast network featuring episodes with enlightening conversations, opposing views, and plenty of healthy disputes. You'll get a curated selection of episodes from programs like What Next, The Waves, and the Political Gabfest, with deep discussions that go beyond point-counterpoint and shed light on the issues that matter most.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 22, 2020 • 1h 5min
Future English Speaker, Can You Read Me?
That language changes is certain. How quickly or slowly is another matter.Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on Lexicon Valley each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our show.Twitter: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyEmail: lexiconvalley@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 8, 2020 • 43min
Getting Got
The story of how one little verb developed a seemingly endless capacity to absorb new meanings.Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on Lexicon Valley each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our show.Twitter: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyEmail: lexiconvalley@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 24, 2020 • 1h
On the Origin of English
A controversial theory holds that English, along with other Germanic languages, was profoundly influenced early on by Phoenician. The evidence is intriguing.Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on Lexicon Valley each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our show.Twitter: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyEmail: lexiconvalley@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 10, 2020 • 55min
White Author, Black English. Problem?
Mark Twain famously depicted what he called the "Missouri Negro dialect" of Jim. Would that be acceptable today?Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on Lexicon Valley each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our show.Twitter: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyEmail: lexiconvalley@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 27, 2020 • 1h 1min
Do Cats Have Language?
Animals bark, sing, purr and even gesture, all fascinating but a far cry from human communication.Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on Lexicon Valley each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our show.Twitter: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyEmail: lexiconvalley@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 13, 2020 • 40min
Sergeant, Corporal, Colonel!
Peculiar linguistic tales of America's soldiers.Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on Lexicon Valley each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our show.Twitter: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyEmail: lexiconvalley@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 29, 2020 • 38min
To Reason Why
There's more than one way to ask why. How come? What for?Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on Lexicon Valley each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our show.Twitter: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyEmail: lexiconvalley@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 15, 2020 • 44min
When Talking to Your Mother-In-Law Is a Minefield
From baby talk to formal varieties, languages around the world offer—or even require—different ways of speaking for different situations.Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on Lexicon Valley each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our show.Twitter: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyEmail: lexiconvalley@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 1, 2020 • 1h 2min
The Incredible Story of the Traveling Creole
Enslaved people developed a hybrid language that sailed from Africa to the Caribbean and—unbelievably—back again.Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on Lexicon Valley each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our show.Twitter: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyEmail: lexiconvalley@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 18, 2020 • 56min
This Am a Minstrel Stereotype, Right?
A longstanding mystery of Black English may finally be solved.Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on Lexicon Valley each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our show.Twitter: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyEmail: lexiconvalley@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
