Unlocking the Universe of Languages
Discover the linguistics behind Thaana, the unique writing system of the Maldives, where the alphabet is literally built from numbers. This article explores how Maldivian scholars engineered a script using…
Tradition holds that King Ramkhamhaeng the Great single-handedly created the Thai writing system in 1283, but does this legend hold up to linguistic scrutiny? We explore the evolution of the…
The Korean alphabet, Hangul, is praised for its scientific design, but it once held a secret: a lost vowel called the 'arae-a' (γ). This "dot from heaven" was the cornerstone…
Discover the forgotten story of Dr. J. W. P. Davis, a Liberian doctor who invented a unique writing system for the Bassa language in the early 20th century. This tale…
At a glance, Chinese and Korean can seem related due to their geographic proximity and shared vocabulary. However, these two languages belong to entirely different families, with profoundly different writing…
Did you know the Korean alphabet was secretly invented by a king to empower his people? Hangul, one of the world's most logical writing systems, was designed to mimic the…
While North and South Koreans share a common language, over 70 years of political division have created a fascinating linguistic divide. From everyday words like 'ice cream' to subtle shifts…
Korean and Japanese share similar grammar, but their writing systems and pronunciation offer very different challenges. Korean's alphabet is famously easy to learn, giving beginners a fast start, while Japanese…
Ever felt dizzy trying to navigate the different ways to speak in Korean? Our guide breaks down the essential 'respect system', from formal `jondaetmal` to casual `banmal`, ensuring you sound…
Ever wonder why Chinese, Japanese, and Korean writing look so different yet interconnected? This journey explores three unique solutions to capturing language: China's ancient meaning-based characters, Japan's elegant sound-based syllabaries…
Learning a new language with dyslexia can feel overwhelming, but it is entirely possible with the right approach. This guide offers compassionate advice and multi-sensory strategies that bypass traditional text-heavy…
Everyone insists that true language immersion requires a plane ticket and a new address. But what if the most powerful immersion environment you can create is right within your own…
Ordering coffee in Seoul? You'll need one set of numbers. Telling the time? You'll need another. This might seem confusing, but Koreaβs dual number system is a living linguistic fossil,…
How do you type a language with thousands of characters on a keyboard with only a few dozen keys? The ubiquitous QWERTY layout presents a fascinating challenge for non-Latin scripts,…
Ever felt like you're waiting for the punchline of a sentence? In languages like Japanese, German, and Hindi, that's the daily reality. We explore the fascinating world of Subject-Object-Verb (SOV)…
Ever dreamed of creating your own alphabet? This guide delves into the art and science of script creation, exploring the cognitive principles that make a writing system successful. Learn the…
Explore one of history's most radical linguistic reforms: Turkey's 1928 Alphabet Revolution. At the direction of AtatΓΌrk, the nation abandoned the centuries-old Arabic script for a new Latin-based alphabet in…
The concept of "face" (ι’ε, 체면, γ‘γ³γ) is a cornerstone of social interaction in East Asia, deeply encoded in language. This post explores the intricate linguistic dance of indirectness, honorifics,…
While many alphabets are ancient, the N'Ko script was born in 1949 from one man's defiant response to colonial prejudice. Created by Solomana Kante, this ingenious alphabet is perfectly tailored…
Hangul, the writing system of the Korean language, boasts a unique, rich, and significant historical pedigree that sets it apart from other writing systems around...