Human language is governed by a grammatical system – a sentence can be grammatical without meaning.
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A better understanding of language and its neuroscientific basis would help us handle linguistic issues throughout our lives.
Baby talk is cute when used with babies. But when adults converse with each other? Not so much.
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As many as two-thirds of couples do it.
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Babylonians were quite formal in their written records, so working out how to be chatty in their long-dead language was an exciting challenge.
A ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ flag waves near the U.S. Capitol ahead of a House vote on the infrastructure bill.
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As political parties spar, insults and catchphrases are adopted, appropriated and reappropriated in a dizzying verbal arms race.
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Banter can be fun, but it can quickly cross the line.
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We used brain imaging techniques to show these two activities engage the same region of the brain. Then we wanted to find out more.
When overrused phrases reach the point of aggravation, they become cliches.
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National Cliche Day is Nov. 3. So what makes a cliche a cliche? And why do we find ourselves rolling our eyes when we hear certain ones?
Climate jargon can feel overwhelming.
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The language around climate change can feel overwhelming. A psychology and public policy expert breaks it down in plain English.
Research has shown that adopting a multilingual approach in classrooms is important in increasing students’ academic performance.
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Contrary to popular opinion, multilingual practices do not have any negative effect on students’ academic achievement.
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Subtitles need to be read quickly and dubbing needs to match lips. It’s not an easy feat.
Student Action protest against segregation outside Moree Artesian Baths.
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Comments like Frost’s demonstrate ignorance towards the many structural inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and other marginalised peoples, in Australia.
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Standard English is but one of a myriad ways of speaking the English language. No child should be penalised for speaking another
Pas de sucre ? Pas de souci !
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It’s one of the most common expressions used in French but also one of the most controversial. A linguist explains why “pas de souci” is no mere English import.
Deaf students learning sign language at a special school
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Most indigenous signed languages in Africa today are marginalised, dominated and suppressed by foreign signed languages.
Snowclones that became popular during COVID.
More than cliches for lazy journalists, ‘snowclones’ are creative devices that have helped people digest the shock of the pandemic a little better.
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When students shift to learning from home, they lose many of the in-school support structures and resources. While the priority is students’ well-being, schools have developed new teaching strategies.
Researchers can program neural networks composed of artificial neurons to simulate language processing.
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Computational modeling can predict language therapy response in bilingual people with aphasia. In the future, this could help clinicians identify the best language for treatment.
Graffiti artist Falko Starr finishes a mural in the Cape Flats area of Cape Town.
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It’s been in existence since the 1500s but the Kaaps language, synonymous with Cape Town, has never had a dictionary until now.
A babbling pup produces distinct syllables, visualized in this composite image.
Michael Stifter and Ahana Fernandez
Vocal imitation is a key part of how humans learn to speak. New research shows that bats babble to learn and use baby talk to teach, just like people do.
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Not only is much of the language associated with job-seeking religious but so are the ways in which people approach success and failure in the process.