Because Language - a podcast about linguistics, the science of language. - podcast cover

Because Language - a podcast about linguistics, the science of language.

Daniel Midgley, Ben Ainslie, and Hedvig Skirgård•becauselanguage.com
Science
Social Sciences
Education
Language Learning
A podcast about linguistics, the science of language.
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Episodes

20: Madam VP (with Nicole Holliday and Caroline Kilov)

Kamala Harris is the first woman — and woman of colour — to be Vice President of the United States. In the campaign, she had to pull off a tricky task: stay true to her voice and multiple aspects of her identity by employing features of African-American English that would resonate with Black voters, but that wouldn’t alienate white voters. How did she do it? Dr Nicole Holliday joins Ben, Hedvig, and Daniel on this episode of Because Language.

Feb 09, 2021•1 hr 28 min

19: Mailbag, Schmailbag

More great questions from our Mailbag! How did we get from SUSS (suspect) to SUSS OUT (find out)? Is the J in JORTS part of a portmanteau, or a real live prefix? Why do PEEP, PEEK, and PEER resemble each other? Which acronym etymologies aren't bunk? Why do we add a SCHM- to words to signify derision? Are Mormon missionaries supernaturally good at learning languages?

Feb 06, 2021•2 hr 34 min

18: Swearin' Time (with Kory Stamper)

There's a new show on Netflix, and it's The History of Swearing, featuring Nicolas Cage. Backing him up is a team of researchers, comedians — and one of our favourite lexicographers, Kory Stamper. Kory tells us all about the show on this episode of Because Language.

Jan 19, 2021•1 hr 29 min

17: Words of the Week of the Year 2020

On this momentous episode, we look back on all the words that made our year. Like, all of them. Including some from other languages. Many words were discussed in the context of the annual vote of the American Dialect Society, but the greatest were voted on by you, the listeners. Ready? Let’s talk words!

Dec 22, 2020•2 hr 49 min

16: Mailbag of Spedrun

Our Mailbag is at capacity! Time to get to these questions. We have pronouns and proverbs . So why don’t we have proadjectives and proadverbs ? Is it on accident , or by accident ? What’s the past tense of speedrun ? When has a loanword become just another word? Why do we say we’re going ham ? Why do people pronounce dynasty differently? When we talk about accents, why is so much of the discussion about vowels?...

Dec 08, 2020•1 hr 14 min

15: Xenolanguage (with Kathryn Hymes)

If you love language, and you also love role-playing games with a sci-fi flair, then you're going to want to check out the new game Xenolanguage. It allows players to make first contact and decipher alien messages while working through their tangled personal relationships. Kathryn Hymes of Thorny Games joins us for this episode.

Nov 30, 2020•1 hr 13 min

14: Word Jail (with Ian Cushing)

Schools are banning words and policing language. It may be a well-meaning attempt to encourage good language habits, but it also perpetuates troubling language ideologies that may be harming the very students that schools are committed to educate. Linguist Ian Cushing tells us about his findings.

Nov 10, 2020•1 hr 14 min

13: White Supremacy (with Kelly Wright)

The definition of white supremacy: is it expanding, or are we just getting better at recognising it and its reach? How does white supremacy show itself in language and in linguistics? Kelly Wright talks about her work in sociolinguistics, and how we all can do better.

Oct 29, 2020•1 hr 26 min

12: Mailbag: Will Ben Get It Right?

The questions keep coming! Let’s answer them. Why is “Live Laugh Love” in that order? Why do we talk about “getting out the vote”? Why is the L sound creeping into some words? What can computer languages tell us about human languages? Is there a word for turning a label into an insult, like Dumbocrats or Repuglicans?

Oct 20, 2020•1 hr 11 min

11: Aboriginal English: Yarning (with Glenys Collard and Celeste Rodriguez Louro)

Aboriginal English has been around a long while, but linguists have not taken the opportunity to really listen to the voices of Aboriginal people. Two researchers are changing that. They're gathering stories to find out what Aboriginal English is like, and how it's changing. Daniel sits down with them for a wicked long yarn on this episode of Because Language.

Oct 09, 2020•1 hr 6 min