At the end of the first semester of my sophomore year, I thought that I had nearly conquered the Arabic language. I figured that I was ready to go abroad; I had the necessary skills to communicate in a casual setting and make friends. I was wrong. In the second semester of my sophomore year,
Attention Arabic Students: Learn a Colloquial Dialect!Read More
Attention Arabic Students: Learn a Colloquial Dialect! Read More »
Introduction In an increasingly interconnected world, embracing language and cultural diversity has never been more important. Recognizing this, The Pokémon Company expanded the Pokémon series to accommodate a global community. In the Nintendo Direct presentation on February 26, 2016, Tsunekazu Ishihara, CEO and President of The Pokémon Company, announced the release of Pokémon Sun and
Embracing a Multilingual World| Pokémon’s Expansion in Nine Languages Read More »
Imagine waking up one day with a foreign accent you’ve never spoken before. This unusual phenomenon is known as Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS), a rare condition caused by neurological damage, such as a stroke or multiple sclerosis. The effects are fascinating and puzzling, leaving researchers and neurologists intrigued. What is FAS and How Does It
What is Foreign Accent Syndrome? Read More »
Introduction to Linguists and Undocumented Languages Many people believe that linguists have cataloged all the world’s languages. However, in reality, some populations are so isolated that their languages remain undocumented. Occasionally, researchers stumble upon a completely unknown language, spoken by a small group, but otherwise unknown to the wider world. In most cases, linguists know
What do linguists do with undocumented languages? Read More »
Key Points What is an International Auxiliary Language (IAL)? As countries rise to the status of world powers, their languages become popular and often serve as International Auxiliary Languages (IALs). However, when these countries fall, their languages slowly become less known. English and French have recently been used as quasi-universal languages, and in the past,
Constructed International Auxiliary Languages Read More »
Everyone knows that learning a new language is a task that requires a lot of time and practice. Language learning in a classroom environment consists of formal lessons, explicitly teaching grammar, and a lot of repetition and memorization. While this is one of the most standard techniques used for second language learning, it can be
Learning Languages through Comics Read More »
Key Points The brain is the most complex structure in the human body, and language processing is one of its most remarkable abilities. Neurologists and linguists continue to study how the brain processes language, from the moment sound enters the ear to the point where meaning is fully understood. Understanding language processing in the brain
How Language is Processed in the Brain Read More »
Understanding body language is a valuable skill, essential for effective communication, whether in professional or personal interactions. While verbal language may vary, body language often serves as a universal means of conveying emotions and intentions, bridging linguistic barriers. What is Body Language? Body language encompasses a wide range of nonverbal signals, including facial expressions, gestures,
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Recent studies have shown a positive link between a person’s ability to keep time with a musical rhythm and their ability to respond to sounds. More than 100 teenagers in Chicago and its surroundings were asked to listen to a metronome and tap their finger along with it. Accuracy was calculated on how closely the
Musical training may enhance language processing Read More »
Early June of 2013 saw a new first in the Senate building in Washington, DC: the Senator from Virginia, Time Kaine, stood up to support an immigration overhaul bill, and did so entirely in Spanish. Sentences, references, and brief statements made in other languages have happened in the past, but not a 15-minute statement. The
First Senate speech in Spanish Read More »
