Lingthusiasm - A podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics

When we try to represent languages on a map, it's common to assign each language a zone or a point which represents some idea of where it's used or where it comes from. But in reality, people move around, and many cities are host to hundreds of languages that don't show up on official records. In this episode, your hosts Gretchen McCulloch and Lauren Gawne get enthusiastic about urban multilingualism! We talk about a recent book we've been enjoying called Language City by Ross Perlin, about the over 700 languages spoken in New York City, as well as how we've noticed urban multilingualism for ourselves in Melbourne, Montreal, and elsewhere. We also talk about organizations that work with communities interested in reclaiming space for their languages, what linguistic rights are, and how to tell if yours are being taken away from you. Click here for a link to this episode in your podcast player of choice: https://pod.link/1186056137/episode/dGFnOnNvdW5kY2xvdWQsMjAxMDp0cmFja3MvMjE1NzMxNzE3Mg Read the transcript here: https://lingthusiasm.com/post/792539370903207936/transcript-episode-107 Announcements: In this month’s bonus episode we get enthusiastic about linguistic landscapes! We talk about contrasts between the signs in the Chinatowns of Montreal and Melbourne, renaming streets from colonial names to names in First Nations languages, how signs can show the shifting demographics of tourism in an area, and how bi- and multilingual Lost Cat signs show what languages people think their neighbours understand. We also talk about our most absurd sign stories, including the Russell Family Apology Plaque, and creative imaginings of official signage, such as the Latin no-smoking sign in a modern-day British train station. Join us on Patreon now to get access to this and 100+ other bonus episodes. You’ll also get access to the Lingthusiasm Discord server where you can chat with other language nerds: https://www.patreon.com/posts/135199073 For links to things mentioned in this episode: https://lingthusiasm.com/post/792539190192635904/lingthusiasm-episode-107-urban-multilingualism

Dive into a playful debate on whether a hotdog is a sandwich! The hosts discuss the fluidity of food definitions and how cultural contexts shape our understanding of language. Explore prototype theory and its role in defining everyday words, from burritos to memes. Find out how personal interpretations influence meanings and why arguments over definitions can be so engaging. The hosts also reflect on their journey, community interactions, and the humorous moments that make their discussions unique!

TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are an evolving genre of media: short-form, vertical videos that take up your whole screen and are served to you from an algorithm rather than who you follow. This changes how people talk in them compared to earlier forms of video, and linguists are on it! In this episode, your host Gretchen McCulloch gets enthusiastic about the linguistics of tiktok with Adam Aleksic, better known on social media as etymologynerd. We talk about how Adam got his start into linguistics via etymology, the process that he goes through to make his current videos get the attention of people and algorithms, and how different forms of media (like podcasts vs shortform video) relate differently to their audiences. We also talk about the challenges of writing a book about language on the internet when it changes so fast, comparing the writing process for Adam's upcoming book Algospeak with Gretchen's book Because Internet. Click here for a link to this episode in your podcast player of choice: https://episodes.fm/1186056137/episode/dGFnOnNvdW5kY2xvdWQsMjAxMDp0cmFja3MvMjExNjQ1NTgxMA Read the transcript here: https://lingthusiasm.com/post/786832938503405568/transcript-episode-105-linguistics-of-tiktok Announcements: In celebration of our 100th bonus episode we've decided to go back into the vault and revisit our very first bonus episode - with updated sweary commentary! We've made this extra bonus bonus version available to all patrons, free and paid, so feel free to send it to your friends: https://www.patreon.com/posts/131301144 In this month’s bonus episode we get enthusiastic about your linguistics questions! In honour of our 100th bonus episode of Lingthusiasm, and because our first advice episode was so popular, here's another episode answering your advice questions, from the serious to the silly! Join us on Patreon now to get access to this and 90+ other bonus episodes. You’ll also get access to the Lingthusiasm Discord server where you can chat with other language nerds: https://www.patreon.com/posts/125727177 For links to things mentioned in this episode: https://lingthusiasm.com/post/786832701937303552/lingthusiasm-episode-105-linguistics-of-tiktok

Hanna-Máret Outakoski, a Professor of Sámi languages at the Sámi University of Applied Sciences, dives into the rich intersection of multilingual literacy and Sámi language revitalization. She shares her journey growing up amidst Northern Sámi, Finnish, Norwegian, and English, highlighting the importance of writing in Indigenous education. The conversation reveals how Sámi literature has thrived since the 1500s, illustrating the role of play in language learning. They also discuss innovative approaches to teaching that blend traditional oral customs with modern literacy skills.

Dive into the fascinating world of gestures, a universal element of communication across all languages. Explore quirky research methods, like a special chair used to study spontaneous gestures without revealing the trick. Discover the interplay between spoken and signed languages and how personal experiences in learning ASL can alter one's gestures. Plus, enjoy insights from Lauren’s new book that aims to make gesture research accessible to everyone, blending humor with deep linguistic reflections.

Discover how learning an alien language can unlock superpowers, just like in sci-fi lore! Dive into the intriguing Sapir-Whorf hypothesis and its implications on language and thought. Explore how different languages categorize colors and affect our perception. Learn about the fascinating figures behind the hypothesis and the social reflections tied to linguistic diversity. The hosts celebrate the milestones of their journey while encouraging curiosity about how language shapes our understanding of reality.

Explore the fascinating levels of language from micro to macro! Learn how sounds and handshapes create meaning while discovering the dynamics of syntax and morphemes. Delve into the complexities of spoken and signed languages and understand how small syntax changes can alter interpretations. The hosts also share valuable insights into historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, and even offer a DIY linguistics course for eager learners. Language is not just a tool; it's a playful adventure waiting to be explored!

Celebrate 100 intriguing facts about linguistics with fascinating insights into brain language processing and playful sound symbolism. Discover the complexities of etymology and unique linguistic phenomena, like double borrowings. Explore how infants develop language skills and the connection between signed and spoken languages. Delve into conversational dynamics and the history of the word 'hundred.' Join in the creativity of language and enjoy a bingo game for diehard fans!

Dive into the fascinating world of politeness and rudeness as hosts explore linguistic nuances that shape our communication. Discover how concepts like 'saving face' vary across cultures and the impact of social settings on etiquette. The conversation veers into the comedy of polite exits and the absurdities of conversational styles. You'll also learn about generational shifts in email manners and the different uses of 'please' in British versus American English. It’s an entertaining look at the complexities of communication we often overlook!

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Emily M. Bender, a Linguistics Professor at the University of Washington and co-host of Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000, explores how computers decode language. She reveals the difference between human and computer language learning, discussing the humorous failures that can arise. Emily emphasizes the significance of community over mere data, the ethical implications of AI training, and the creation of the Bender Rule, which promotes clarity in language use. Expect intriguing insights into the quirks of AI behavior and the future of linguistic technology!