dannylbate

New Article: Deriving the Old Irish Clause

Some personal news from me: My first peer-reviewed academic article has now been published with the Journal of Historical Syntax! After almost a year of work by me, three reviewers and the editors of JHS, Deriving the Old Irish Clause now exists out there to be read and hopefully enjoyed. It can be found hereContinue reading “New Article: Deriving the Old Irish Clause“

A Fond Farewell to 2023

Reading time: 5 minutes At time of writing, the year 2023 is ticking out its few remaining hours, and the threshold of New Year’s Eve is almost here. Being someone easily susceptible to bouts of acute nostalgia, I can’t help but reflect on the past 365 days during this liminal period – and this year,Continue reading “A Fond Farewell to 2023”

Christmas Trees and Etymologies

Reading time: 5 minutes As an etymological Christmas gift from me for 2023, here’s a quick dive into the story and connections of one festive word: the humble Christmas tree. Now, Modern English tree goes back to Old English trēow, which could mean a specific tree or the substance of wood. … Ġeseah iċ wuldres trēow,wǣdum ġeweorðode, wynnum sċīnan,ġeġyred mid golde; ġimmas hæfdonbewriġene weorðlīċeContinue reading “Christmas Trees and Etymologies”

Is This [Is] An English Question?

Reading time: 10 minutes For this November’s post, I’d like to shine a syntactic spotlight on an unusual feature of English word order. While you might not know it from my online offerings, I am first and foremost a syntactician: words are fascinating, but it’s how we arrange them together that interests me most. TheContinue reading “Is This [Is] An English Question?”

The Reichenau Glossary and the Birth of French

Reading time: 10 minutes Now, I must confess, I have been somewhat preoccupied for the past two months, and so haven’t dedicated time to this site. The jump into the world of podcasting has taken a lot of effort, and yet the website hasn’t been far from my thoughts. So, for this October, I’m gettingContinue reading “The Reichenau Glossary and the Birth of French”

Introducing: ‘A Language I Love Is…’

There’s a new linguistic podcast out there! Friends, linguists, podcast pros, lend me your ears! Being committed to bringing the joys of linguistics to a wide audience, and motivated by the continuing decline of Twitter, I am thrilled to announce that I now have a podcast! It’s called A Language I Love Is… and it’sContinue reading “Introducing: ‘A Language I Love Is…’”

Five Antiquities of English

Reading time: 10-15 minutes To listen along in an audio format, just click here: IT’S WELL KNOWN that English has undergone many significant changes down the centuries. Events like the Norman Conquest have drastically altered the shape of the language, influencing words and sounds so much that a new kind of English was born. YetContinue reading “Five Antiquities of English”

All We Hear is Radio Praha

Another newflash from me! I recently had the great privilege to be interviewed by Ian Willoughby, journalist, radio presenter and doyen of the Anglophone community in the Czech Republic. Taking a break from interviewing A-lister celebrities and politicians, he got me on Radio Prague International to talk about my personal Czech experience – the country,Continue reading “All We Hear is Radio Praha”

Learning English Etymology with Will!

A newflash from me: I’ve made a move into the world of animation! Up now on YouTube is a brand-new video on etymology and the history of English, partly narrated and scripted by me. It’s collaboration with the talented animator Will as part of his Learn with Will series of educational videos, and you canContinue reading “Learning English Etymology with Will!”

The Gaulish in English, in 10 Words

Reading time: 10-15 minutes To hear me speaking in my not-quite-best Latin, you can listen along here: IF you know a thing or two about Roman history, you will have come across the Gauls. They loom large in the story of Rome’s rise to dominance, both as their aggressor and as victims of their conquests.Continue reading “The Gaulish in English, in 10 Words”