Recent breakthroughs in language science are challenging long-standing assumptions about what constitutes “language.” A major 2025 study published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences argues that the classical design features of human language — such as arbitrariness, duality of patterning, and displacement — are no longer sufficient to define the fullContinue Reading
Whistled languages are ingenious adaptations of spoken language—transformed into whistles, enabling long-distance communication in rugged landscapes where voices would falter. These systems mimic speech intonation, rhythm, and phonetics, allowing entire conversations to flow through whistling alone. This remarkable mode of expression exists in at least 80 cultures, from the CanaryContinue Reading
Community activists and indigenous speakers across the globe increasingly share stories of renewed hope as AI tools bring endangered languages back into daily life. From Māori elders using speech-to-text systems to children learning ancestral phrases through mobile apps, these firsthand experiences highlight how AI makes cultural reclamation feel attainable andContinue Reading
Code-switching is the practice of alternating between two or more languages or dialects in a single conversation, sentence, or even phrase. Far from being a sign of linguistic confusion, this phenomenon reveals a speaker’s high level of adaptability, social awareness, and cognitive agility. Common in multilingual communities, code-switching is notContinue Reading
When people think of language, they often focus on spoken or written forms—but sign languages are complex linguistic systems that have evolved naturally and independently across the globe. Contrary to popular belief, there is no universal sign language. American Sign Language (ASL), British Sign Language (BSL), and many others—including Kenyan,Continue Reading
In multilingual societies, code-switching—the practice of alternating between languages or language varieties within a conversation—is more than a quirky habit. It’s a powerful linguistic and cultural tool that allows speakers to navigate social dynamics, express identity, and create emotional nuance. From Spanglish to Singlish, and from African American Vernacular EnglishContinue Reading
Body language transcends spoken words, serving as a powerful form of communication across all cultures. From a firm handshake to a slight eyebrow raise, nonverbal cues convey emotions, intentions, and reactions instantly. Linguists and communication experts recognize body language as a crucial complement to verbal language, often influencing how aContinue Reading
Across the globe, thousands of languages are at risk of extinction. Linguists estimate that nearly 40% of the world’s 7,000 languages could vanish within the next century. This silent crisis threatens cultural diversity, as each language carries unique ways of understanding the world, indigenous knowledge systems, and historical perspectives. TheContinue Reading
Social media platforms like TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram have become powerful engines of linguistic innovation, accelerating the evolution of English in ways that traditional linguists are only beginning to map. Terms like “rizz” (short for charisma) and “mewing” (a facial exercise) have emerged from niche online communities and quickly enteredContinue Reading
The intricate relationship between language and thought has long intrigued scholars, prompting investigations into how linguistic structures influence cognitive processes. Recent studies have shed light on this connection, revealing that the languages we speak can subtly shape our perceptions and interactions with the world. For instance, research has demonstrated thatContinue Reading