Manners Maketh Man
There is more to knowing a language than mere words. Concepts of courtesy and politeness vary enormously from one culture to another. We need to learn the rules.
The International Phonetic Alphabet
Do we really need another alphabet? If we’re serious about learning another language, then yes we do. And the International Phonetic Alphabet is the one we need.
The Tower of Babel: The Origins of Language
Where does language come from? Did it just develop from primitive grunts and gradually evolve into complex speech? According to this theory, older languages would be expected to be grammatically unsophisticated, whereas more modern ones would be capable of more complex thought. Is that true?
Improving your memory
How do you make the strange words of a new language stick in your mind?
English: The Magpie Language
English is a magpie language, picking up shiny new words wherever it can. Knowing the etymology of these words can help us learn new languages. How?
Green Eggs and Ham
How many words do you need to know in order to communicate effectively? The same number as you see in this image.
“A language is a dialect with an army and a navy”
What is the difference between a language and a dialect? And does it make any difference to language learners?
What’s in a Name?
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet. Why Shakespeare was wrong
Hastings: The Battle That Changed the English Language Forever
How a stray arrow can help us learn French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and more
Eselsbrücke
Eselsbrücke is the German word for a memory aid, a mnemonic. The literal meaning is 'donkey bridge'. Interesting word.