Monthly Archives: March 2019

Human speech and evolving anatomy eons ago

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/363/6432/eaav3218

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The history of English traced through artifacts and manuscripts

This article, accompanying a recent show at the British Library, provides a fascinating history of English through its material remains: http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20190118-how-migration-formed-the-english-language

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Sign languages are under threat as well

Like many indigenous languages, sign languages of the world may also be endangered: https://theconversation.com/sign-languages-are-fully-fledged-natural-languages-with-their-own-dialects-they-need-protecting-109388

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Developing a new language

Children in a Lajamanu, Australia, have developed a new language called “Light Warlpiri”. They use sentence structures from Warlpiri, but verbs from Kriol and nouns from English, Warlpiri, and Kriol. https://www.sapiens.org/language/new-languages-discovered/

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How do you sign off in an email?

The more traditional sign offs (“Best”, “Best wishes”, “Sincerely”, etc.) may be being replaced by “xx” (=love). Where does this usage come from? https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/02/style/xx-email-signoff-signature.html

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Why do classic Hollywood actors speak so strangely?

The apparently fake British accent of actors such as Katherine Hepburn explained: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/how-a-fake-british-accent-took-old-hollywood-by-storm?utm_source=share_by_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mailto_share

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The basic word order of a language may affect human memory

A speaker of a left-branching language (such as Japanese) may be better at remembering words, numbers, and spatial stimuli than a speaker of a right-branching language, research finds. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190204114641.htm

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“Vocal fry” or creaky voice is not just “mindless affectation”

Studies are showing that vocal fry serves serious purposes. It may be used when speakers are in uncomfortable situations or when they are communicating information. Furthermore, younger people do not disparage those using vocal fry in the way that older … Continue reading

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England tried to set up a language academy in the 18th century. France succeeded: here’s its legacy.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/03/world/europe/academie-francaise-france-deadlock.html

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