Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

Linguist Andrew Cheng, a professor at the University of Hawaii specializing in sociolinguistics, delves into the intriguing ways accents shift over time, especially among YouTubers influenced by geographic moves. He discusses second dialect acquisition, demonstrating how individuals can adopt new speech patterns while retaining their originals. The conversation also emphasizes the fluidity of vowels and how social contexts shape speech modifications, highlighting the dynamic relationship between language and identity.

1079. Ever wonder what labels like "informal," "archaic," or "offensive" mean in a dictionary entry? We explain how different dictionaries use labels to describe when, where, and how to use words. Then, we explore why so many babies say "dada" first and why babies say "mama" almost everywhere.The "dictionary labels" segment was written by Susan Herman, a retired U.S. government multidisciplined language analyst, analytic editor, and instructor.The "mama" segment was written by Valerie Fridland, a professor of linguistics at the University of Nevada in Reno and the author of "Like Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English." You can find her at valeriefridland.com.NEW: Sign up for my AP Style webinar on June 12: bit.ly/4k1XmpIUse the code MACMIL for $50 off.🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.🔗 Take our advertising survey. 🔗 Get the edited transcript.🔗 Get Grammar Girl books. 🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference. | HOST: Mignon Fogarty| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Audio Engineer: Dan FeierabendDirector of Podcast: Brannan GoetschiusAdvertising Operations Specialist: Morgan ChristiansonDigital Operations Specialist: Holly HutchingsMarketing and Video: Nat Hoopes| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.

1078. Mary Robinette Kowal talks about going from writing magic-filled Regency romances to Hugo-nominated science fiction, what it's like to work with an agent, and how she keeps her career moving forward. Plus, she gave us three great book recommendations (and I've already read and loved one of them!).Find Mary at maryrobinettekowal.com.🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.🔗 Take our advertising survey. 🔗 Get the edited transcript.🔗 Get Grammar Girl books. 🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference. | HOST: Mignon Fogarty| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Audio Engineer: Dan FeierabendDirector of Podcast: Brannan GoetschiusAdvertising Operations Specialist: Morgan ChristiansonDigital Operations Specialist: Holly HutchingsMarketing and Video: Nat Hoopes| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.

1077. Is it “lit” or “lighted”? Both are correct, but we look at how their popularity has switched over time. Then we investigate four of the competing theories about the origin of the dollar sign and end with tips about how to use it.The "dollar sign" segment was written by Jim Norrena, MFA, who has been writing and editing for more than thirty-five years. He’s the founder and principal editor at TypoSuction.com, an independent editing/writing service. He taught grammar and copyediting intensives and professional proofreading workshops at Media Alliance and served as events coordinator for Bay Area Editors’ Forum (BAEF). You can find him on LinkedIn.🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.🔗 Take our advertising survey. 🔗 Get the edited transcript.🔗 Get Grammar Girl books. 🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference. | HOST: Mignon Fogarty| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Audio Engineer: Dan FeierabendDirector of Podcast: Brannan GoetschiusAdvertising Operations Specialist: Morgan ChristiansonDigital Operations Specialist: Holly HutchingsMarketing and Video: Nat Hoopes| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.

Dan Gerstein, founder of Gotham Ghostwriters, has spent over 30 years in writing and communications. He reveals the intricacies of ghostwriting, explaining how it works beyond celebrity authors to include everyday individuals. Lists of negotiation strategies for royalties and rights highlight the complexities of contracts. Gerstein discusses the evolving role of ghostwriters in a world increasingly influenced by AI, emphasizing that human storytelling remains irreplaceable for emotional depth. He also touches on the blurred lines of authorship in celebrity collaborations.

Confused about 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'? This podcast unpacks their meanings and the common mistakes people make. In honor of Shakespeare's birthday, it dives into myths about his contributions, revealing he only coined around 500 words, not thousands. Discover how much Latin he actually knew, and enjoy a listener's quirky phrase, 'for schnitzels', showcasing the playful side of language. Get ready to enhance your writing skills while unraveling the intriguing legacy of one of history's greatest wordsmiths!

Join Erin McKean, founder of Wordnik and Google open source enthusiast, as she delves into the evolving landscape of dictionaries amid AI's rise. Explore whether AI can truly replace lexicographers and uncover the environmental costs of training these systems. Erin also shares her journey from fashion blogging to lexicography, with insights on the significance of pockets in dresses and her favorite literary inspirations. This discussion beautifully weaves personal anecdotes with the future of language processing and community engagement.

Discover how to craft captivating paragraphs that go beyond traditional structures to engage readers. Uncover the intriguing histories of terms like 'mad money' and 'pin money,' revealing how they reflect women's evolving financial power. Dive into the cultural significance these phrases hold today, and enjoy a humorous take on personal language quirks. This exploration of writing and financial vocabulary promises to enlighten and entertain!

Samantha Enslen, owner of Dragonfly Editorial, discusses how AI is transforming the landscape of writing and editing. She examines the balance between leveraging AI tools and maintaining the irreplaceable quality of human oversight. The conversation highlights real fears and hopeful prospects for writers in this new era. Samantha also shares her love for classic literature, particularly Agatha Christie, and reflects on how old-school storytelling continues to influence modern writing.

Discover the secrets to crafting engaging photo captions, focusing on the right use of 'I' and 'me.' Dive into the nuanced worlds of 'immigrate' and 'emigrate' to understand their subtle differences shaped by perspective. Enjoy humorous mispronunciations and a charming story of a couple's adventure in Koh Pha-ngan. Reflect on how travel can change familiar places, sparking memories while inviting listeners to share their unique expressions and dialects.