All articles tagged with #linguistics
A study of 22 data sets involving over 2,000 people finds that the average daily words spoken aloud fell about 28% from 16,632 in 2005 to 11,900 in 2019, a trend likely worsened by the pandemic; younger people are slightly more affected, and researchers warn of potential effects on conversational skills and social well-being, urging simple habits to reverse the decline.
UC Berkeley researchers studied 15 sperm whales over four years, attaching underwater microphones and analyzing codas; they found two frequency-based, vowel-like click types (a and i) that can form diphthongs, with different pods using distinct frequencies—suggesting regional accents and a highly complex system similar in pattern to human speech, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
New research analyzing 2014–2018 recordings of Caribbean sperm whales finds signs of a highly complex phonetic system in their calls, including vowel-like patterns and diphthongs. Using GANs within Project CETI, scientists identify vowels differentiated by inter-click intervals and suggest these whales may have a developing vocabulary, with a goal to interpret around 20 expressions (e.g., diving, sleeping) by 2031.
Sperm whales’ codas show vowel-like differences and tonal patterns arranged in multi-layered structures that closely resemble human phonology, suggesting parallel evolution of language-like signals. The findings from Project CETI and UC Berkeley researchers, published in Proceedings B, push forward the goal of understanding whale speech and eventually enabling interspecies communication, though significant work and funding remain.
Ars Technica’s linguistics dive interviews Dr. Betty Birner and Andy Weir to unpack how Grace and Rocky’s language is portrayed, from pragmatics and theory of mind to symbols, embodiment, and cross‑species communication. The piece argues the film shortcuts language acquisition for narrative speed, while noting that math isn’t a guaranteed universal language and true alien understanding would hinge on deeper context beyond pantomime; still, it praises the film’s engaging buddy dynamic.
Adam Aaronson’s New York Times crossword showcases an EG theme: every theme entry is a two-word phrase with the first word starting with E and the second with G (e.g., ETHNIC GROUP, ENDOCRINE GLAND). The clues and syntax—such as “e.g.” and “for one”—signal the gimmick, but there’s no revealer; solvers discover the pattern gradually while the piece also reflects on language, culture, and the constructor’s anecdotes.
The article examines why vintage words like “yap” and “skedaddle” are resurging in today’s talk, arguing that old terms are primed by media and memories and then spread through social networks led by influential youth. This “team sport” of language change means terms rise when a core group adopts them, diffuse through broader networks, and eventually fade, with some retro words enduring longer than others.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press conference quip about Donald Trump’s move to control permits in wildfire-hit LA drew quick scrutiny over a supposed French expression. Linguists couldn’t identify a standard idiom, and Newsom’s aide initially suggested it was just a Foreign-language flourish. A spokesperson later said the line quotes Guillaume Apollinaire’s WWI-era poem “Aussi bien que les cigales” (As well as the cicadas), a memory rather than a recognized saying. The episode underscores how language quirks can go viral and spark debate in politics.
A Nature Human Behaviour study argues the mind may represent language with flat, linear building blocks rather than complex hierarchical grammar. Experiments (eye-tracking and phone conversations) show common word-class sequences can be primed, including nonconstituent phrases like “in the middle of the,” suggesting language uses simpler patterns than traditionally believed and that the gap between human language and animal communication could be smaller than thought.
A border collie named Basket, living on the Upper West Side, is featured in the New York Times for her exceptional language learning abilities, recognizing over 150 toys by name and demonstrating intelligence comparable to a 1.5-year-old human, highlighting the bond and mental stimulation between her and her owner, Elle Baumgartel-Austin.
Many ancient writing systems, such as Epi-Olmec, Indus Valley, Rongorongo, Linear A, and others, remain undeciphered due to limited texts and lack of a Rosetta Stone-like key. While AI offers some assistance, its effectiveness is limited by the small amount of available data, and deciphering these scripts continues to be a challenging puzzle that offers insights into lost civilizations.
Canadian language experts have urged Prime Minister Mark Carney to use Canadian spelling in official documents instead of British spellings, emphasizing that Canadian English reflects national identity and history. The letter highlights the importance of maintaining Canadian linguistic distinctions, especially in government communications, and questions recent deviations from this standard. The issue is compounded by Carney's UK experience, which may influence his language choices.
A recent study challenges the notion that AI language models lack sophisticated reasoning abilities, demonstrating that at least one model can analyze language with human-like proficiency, including diagramming sentences and handling recursion, which has significant implications for understanding AI's capabilities in linguistic reasoning.
Dictionary.com has named '67' as its 2025 Word of the Year, highlighting its role as a social signal and expression of absurdity among youth, with origins linked to music, sports, and internet culture, reflecting rapid linguistic evolution.
Cambridge Dictionary has added 6,000 new words, including internet slang like skibidi, tradwife, and delulu, reflecting the evolving influence of internet culture on language, with a focus on words' staying power rather than popularity.