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Digs deep into the quintessential human trait of language to find the fascinating, thought-provoking, and funny stories behind the words and sounds we take for granted. Incorporating the fields of biology, history, cultural studies, literature and more, linguistics has something for everyone and offers a unique perspective into what it means to be human.

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PBSGratuito

51 episódios

The Unexpected Origins of the Word ‘Monster’
E1
The Unexpected Origins of the Word ‘Monster’Words don't pop up fully formed... they evolve over thousands of years. What can we learn about our relationship to monsters by tracking the word down into the distant past?
What's the Longest Word?
E2
What's the Longest Word?Before we decide from a long list of contenders, we'll have to figure out what the word "word" really means...
Can Computers Really Talk? Or Are They Faking It?
E3
Can Computers Really Talk? Or Are They Faking It?New advancements in technology are making it harder than ever to tell the difference between a computer and a human speaker... but what's going on under the hood? Is it really "language," or just a digital illusion?
What People Get Wrong About African-American English
E4
What People Get Wrong About African-American EnglishIt's one of the most studied — and most controversial — varieties of English. But many people still hold deep misconceptions about African-American English (AAE).
Popular Words Invented by Authors
E5
Popular Words Invented by AuthorsAuthors often create words just for a one-time usage... but a special few will gain traction and become full-fledged parts of our shared lexicon! Otherwords is a new PBS web series on Storied that digs deep into this quintessential human trait of language and fınds the fascinating, thought-provoking, and funny stories behind the words and sounds we take for granted. Incorporating the fıelds of biology, history, cultural studies, literature, and more, linguistics has something for everyone and offers a unique perspective into what it means to be human.
60 Euphemisms for Death!
E6
60 Euphemisms for Death!No topic is as universally avoided--yet universally unavoidable--as DEATH. So, it's got a lot of euphemisms in virtually every language.
Is Swearing Good for Your Brain?
E7
Is Swearing Good for Your Brain?Does swearing get a bad rap? There's evidence that the shouting obscenities has an evolutionary purpose... and may be good for your psyche!
How Do Clichés Evolve into Memes?
E8
How Do Clichés Evolve into Memes?Adaptable clichés called "snowclones" are EVERYWHERE on the internet. We use them for memes, inside jokes, to show our membership of the group. But they weren't invented online. In fact, they're way older than you think!
The Screwed-Up History of English Spelling
E9
The Screwed-Up History of English SpellingThe English spelling system is a MESS... arguably more than any other language. How did it get this way?
Pronouns: Little Words That Say a Lot
E10
Pronouns: Little Words That Say a LotPronouns may be little, but they say a lot, and they're always changing!
Is Gossip... Good?
E11
Is Gossip... Good?Gossip is an integral part of human social structure... and maybe the reason language evolved in the first place!
Foreign Words We Need in English
E12
Foreign Words We Need in EnglishEnglish has more words than most other languages, but there are still so many familiar things and experiences that we don't have a word for... but other languages do! Here are some of our faves!
Is Bilingualism a Superpower?
E13
Is Bilingualism a Superpower?There was a time when psychologists thought growing up bilingual was harmful to brain development, but recent studies into bilingual children have turned that idea on its head!
The Stories Behind Food Names
E14
The Stories Behind Food NamesIt shouldn't matter what a food is called as long as it tastes good, right? Well, maybe not.
Literally No One Likes a Grammar Cop
E15
Literally No One Likes a Grammar CopBesides being annoying, what if the grammar police are actually... wrong?
Why Sign Language Was Banned in America
E16
Why Sign Language Was Banned in AmericaSign Languages are just as linguistically valid and vibrant as spoken languages, and beneficial to learn for Deaf and hearing people. So why for decades was it illegal to teach them in American schools?
How Brands Ruin Slang
E17
How Brands Ruin SlangWhy do brands use slang in their marketing? And why does it sound so... cringey?
Is "R" a Vowel?
E18
Is "R" a Vowel?We all know that the vowels are A, E, I, O, U and sometimes Y... But the way linguists define vowels may mean R qualifies as well!
Where Alcoholic Drinks Got Their Names
E19
Where Alcoholic Drinks Got Their NamesAlcohol has been with humanity since the dawn of civilization, and we use still use some of the same terms for it! Come with us on an etymological journey through the history of drinking.
How English Took Over the World
E20
How English Took Over the WorldHow did English become the most spoken language on the planet, and why are there so many varieties of English?
The Weird History of Invented Languages
E21
The Weird History of Invented LanguagesCan you really invent a language? These people sure tried! But does anyone actually speak them?
How Queer Communities Created Secret Languages
E22
How Queer Communities Created Secret LanguagesAcross the globe, queer communities have relied on secret lexicons known as "argots" to communicate safely, which have developed over the years into what some call "verbal jazz."
What Brain Damage Reveals About Language
E23
What Brain Damage Reveals About LanguageSome of the first discoveries about the relationship between language and the brain were made by studying patients with brain damage. Of course, before modern technology, the only way you could see the brain was by opening it up.
Why Does Texting Feel Different from Talking?
E24
Why Does Texting Feel Different from Talking?Your texts might be cool and clever, but you still get tongue-tied when talking to people face-to-face. Why is that? It's all just words, right? Learn the difference between what linguist call synchronous and asynchronous communication.
How the Colors Got Their Names
E25
How the Colors Got Their NamesThe earliest humans didn't have words for colors... and the way they evolved follow a remarkably similar path across cultures.
The Most Extreme Place Names
E26
The Most Extreme Place NamesPlace names, known as "toponyms" do more than just help us know where we're supposed to meet up.| They often provide clues that can tell you a lot about a location: its geography, history and the people who lived there.
How Language Nerds Solve Crimes
E27
How Language Nerds Solve Crimes
Why Do These Words Get Mispronounced So Much?
E28
Why Do These Words Get Mispronounced So Much?There are actually good reasons why people tend to mispronounce the same words... and why they ofTen end up being the new standard!
Is the Southern Accent Disappearing?
E29
Is the Southern Accent Disappearing?Linguists studying the Southern American Dialect reckon that it ain't what it used to be, y'all. I do declayuh!
Why Do We Use Cringey Words for Loved Ones?
E30
Why Do We Use Cringey Words for Loved Ones?From "kitty" to "lovebug," people across the world use very similar type of words for the people they love. What's behind this universal linguistic trend?
Why Do Baby Names Fall Out of Fashion?
E31
Why Do Baby Names Fall Out of Fashion?How many Mildreds did you go to school with? If you're under 60 years old, probably none! Mildred may have been a top ten baby name 100 years ago, but today its almost extinct... Why is that??
How Cults Use Language to Control
E32
How Cults Use Language to ControlIf there's one thing cult leaders do, it's talk. A LOT. Language is an integral part of how cults keep their members bonded, isolated and obedient.
What Is Your Body Telling People?
E33
What Is Your Body Telling People?You can choose your words as carefully as you want, but your body may be sending other messages you're not even aware of!
Why Is English Awash in Sailors' Jargon?
E34
Why Is English Awash in Sailors' Jargon?There are so many common words and phrases in English that came from the world of sailing, it's almost OVERWHELMING!
You Were Probably Taught to Read Wrong
E35
You Were Probably Taught to Read WrongThere are so many common words and phrases in English that came from the world of sailing, it's almost OVERWHELMING!
Is English a Creole?
E36
Is English a Creole?There's been a lot of debate amongst linguists about what actually constitutes a creole language. By some definitions, English might be a creole!
Can TV Change the Way We Speak?
E37
Can TV Change the Way We Speak?Some parents are concerned (or thrilled?) that their kids might be developing an Australian accent from watching Bluey... but is that really possible? How much of our language acquisition comes from TV anyway?
The Ancient Origins of Body Words
E38
The Ancient Origins of Body WordsThe parts of the human body were likely some of the first things people gave names to, so their deep etymologies can teach us a lot about how language has changed over the millennia.
How Languages Die
E39
How Languages DieLike species, languages can go extinct. But there are different stages of language death, and some can be reversed.
Why A.I. Struggles with Negative Words
E40
Why A.I. Struggles with Negative WordsOne of the first words a baby learns is NO! But negation is a deceptively complex linguistic process!
Inside the Fiercest Debate in Linguistics
E41
Inside the Fiercest Debate in LinguisticsIt's one of the most contentious debates in linguistics, and at the heart of what it means to be human!
Where Did Cringey Corporate Jargon Come From?
E42
Where Did Cringey Corporate Jargon Come From?We're gonna have to ask you to go ahead and watch this video.
These Magic Words Are REAL!
E43
These Magic Words Are REAL!Since ancient times, humans have believed in the special power of words to change the world around them... and they might be right!
Will Algorithmic Self-Censorship Unalive Language?
E44
Will Algorithmic Self-Censorship Unalive Language?TikTok users are altering their speech to evade algorithmic filters--but will this harm language in the long run?
Popular Word Origins That Are Totally WRONG
E45
Popular Word Origins That Are Totally WRONGSometimes misunderstandings and made-up origins get popular enough to stick around... we call these "folk etymologies"!
The 2,000 Year Evolution of Punctuation
E46
The 2,000 Year Evolution of PunctuationThere was a time when written words were all scrunched together without any spaces or symbols to help the reader make sense of it. How did we get from that to this?
How Brands Use Linguistics to Control Your Mind
E47
How Brands Use Linguistics to Control Your MindLearn the linguistic secrets that companies use to subtly implant thoughts about their products directly into your brain!
Why Linguists Love What's Happening with K-Pop
E48
Why Linguists Love What's Happening with K-PopAs K-Pop slowly takes over the whole world, linguists have noticed it's changing the way people speak in multiple countries.
Lying Is Way More Complicated Than You Think
E49
Lying Is Way More Complicated Than You ThinkWe all know that lying is wrong, right? But trying to figure out what *exactly* counts as a lie is something that religions, courts and linguists have grappled with for years.
Why We All Disagree on How to Talk About Time
E50
Why We All Disagree on How to Talk About TimeIn English-speaking countries, the past is "behind" us and the future is still "ahead." But there's much more linguistic variety in how we talk about time... and it might actually influence how we perceive it.
Why "Cool" Is the King of Slang
E51
Why "Cool" Is the King of SlangMost slang words come and go, but there's one undisputed king that's over 100 years old and still as relevant as ever... and that's cool.