Grammar

The ‘We’ of Two vs. The ‘We’ of All

Most languages count one and many, but what about a number for precisely two? Discover the "grammatical dual", a lost…

1 month ago

The Grammar of Evidentials in Quechua

In Quechua, it’s grammatically impossible to state a fact without also specifying how you know it. This fascinating system of…

1 month ago

Why Korean and Japanese Share Grammar

Are Korean and Japanese related languages? While they feel incredibly similar to learners, the answer from linguists is "no." This…

1 month ago

The Grammar of Reality: Realis vs. Irrealis Moods

Every time we speak, we make a choice about how we relate to reality. This fundamental distinction is captured in…

1 month ago

The Un-Passive Voice: The Antipassive Construction

You know the passive voice, but have you ever heard of its bizarre mirror image? The antipassive construction, found in…

1 month ago

The Reduplication Spectrum: From ‘Bye-Bye’ to ‘Chit-Chat’

Reduplication isn't just baby talk like 'bye-bye' or 'choo-choo'. This surprisingly common linguistic tool is used across the world's languages…

1 month ago

The Fossilized Question: Grammaticalization of Verbs

When you ask, "Do you speak English?", what is the word 'do' really doing? This seemingly simple word is actually…

1 month ago

Are Slavic Languages Hard? An Honest Answer

You've heard that Slavic languages are impossible, but is that the whole story? We break down the truth behind the…

1 month ago

Decoding Slavic Cases: A Guide for the Desperate

Tired of staring at endless declension charts? Slavic cases don't have to be a nightmare. This guide ditches the old…

1 month ago

No ‘The’ or ‘A’? How to Think Without Articles

For English speakers learning a Slavic language, the lack of words for 'a/an/the' can be a shock. These languages don't…

1 month ago

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