Indo-European

Decoding the Antarctic Dialect

For scientists and staff "wintering-over" in Antarctica, months of profound isolation have forged a unique micro-dialect. This "Antarctic English" features…

1 month ago

The Alphabet That Failed

In the 1960s, a radical new alphabet for English was born, bankrolled by the will of playwright George Bernard Shaw.…

1 month ago

The Viking’s Echo: When Icelandic Met Norwegian

What happens when a language preserved in a 1,000-year-old time capsule re-encounters its rapidly evolved cousin? The meeting of Icelandic…

1 month ago

The Grammar of ‘Went’: A Tale of Suppletion

Why isn't the past tense of "go" *goed*? The answer lies in a fascinating linguistic phenomenon called suppletion, where a…

1 month ago

The Grammar of “Chit-Chat”: Reduplication

From the simple 'bye-bye' in English to the Indonesian *wiku-wiku* (very fast), repeating words is a powerful tool found in…

1 month ago

Verner’s Law: The Glitch in the System

Grimm's Law neatly explains many sound changes from ancient Proto-Indo-European to Germanic languages, but puzzling exceptions remained a mystery for…

1 month ago

Why Is Germany Not Called Deutschland?

Ever wondered why Germans call their country Deutschland, but we call it Germany? This linguistic puzzle is a perfect window…

1 month ago

The Dutch Door: Japan’s Hidden Language Bridge

For over two centuries, Japan was sealed from the world. Yet, on the tiny island of Dejima, a single language—Dutch—became…

1 month ago

When Did “Hello” Become the Standard Greeting?

"Hello" is so common we rarely question its origin, but it wasn't always our go-to greeting. This now-ubiquitous word exploded…

1 month ago

The Grammar of a Recipe: A Linguistic Puzzle

Have you ever noticed the strange, clipped language of a recipe? This post decodes the unique grammar of the kitchen,…

1 month ago

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