linguistics

Latest in linguistics

In tracing signed vocabularies’ evolutions, researchers applied phylogenetic analysis typically associated with biologically inherited traits to physically conveyed communications.
Technology

Computer modeling is tracing the hidden evolution of sign languages

By Andrew Paul

Close-up of hand typing computer coding on laptop screen
Technology

AI programs often exclude African languages. These researchers have a plan to fix that.

By Andrew Paul

A notebook with Spanish verb conjugations, written probably in the process of learning two languages simultaneously
DIY

You should learn two languages at once

By Amanda Svachula

Chinese and English nametags hung up in an elementary school classroom
Science

Complex languages might shape bilingual brains differently

By Jamie Dickman

Person lying on couch covering their face with a book about Spanish grammar
DIY

Learning a new language? Here’s how to perfect your pronunciation.

By Sandra Gutierrez G.

Person with long brown hair judging someone speaking to them during a meeting in an office for the Google AI study
Technology

If it sounds right, it must be human: Google’s language AI exposes us as shallow listeners

By Kyle Mahowald and Anna Ivanova / The Conversation

A chimpanzee sitting with a baby between her leg. Her mouth is open to yell.
Environment

By combining screams, chimps seem to know 400 ‘words’

By Philip Kiefer

duolingo haitian course promo ad miami
Technology

How Duolingo added Haitian Creole to its language library

By Charlotte Hu

A young harbor seal looking at the camera
Science

Baby seals sing bass notes when they want attention

By Philip Kiefer

Parent and child engaging in baby talk and language development in a cartoon
Environment

Baby talk isn’t just cute—it’s critical for kids’ vocabularies

By Sarah Witman

Both bats and humans test out talking as infants
Environment

Both bats and humans test out talking as infants

By Grace Wade

The 360 Chicago observatory and other skyscrapers along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
DIY

From Chicagoan to Phoenician, here’s what to call the residents of the biggest US cities

By Jennifer Billock

naked mole rat
Environment

Like humans, naked mole-rats have regional accents

By Rahul Rao

Chinese parents and kid have a meal in their dining room
Science

Learning a second language early might have ripple effects throughout your life

By Rahul Rao

An open dictionary with a red cover on a table
Science

Local languages are dying out and taking invaluable knowledge with them

By Hannah Seo

jackass penguins
Environment

Jackass penguins talk like people

By Kate Baggaley

Natalie Andrewson illustration
Science

If monkeys could speak, they’d probably be trolls

By Jessica Boddy

The Sims language
Gear

The Sims’ language has surprisingly scientific origins

By Marion Renault

illustration
Science

Why is it so hard for us to get peoples’ pronouns right?

By Reed Blaylock/The Conversation

Baboon making sounds
Science

Monkey mouth sounds could push the evolution of speech back by 27 million years

By Thomas R. Sawallis & Louis-Jean Boë/The Conversation