In previous years, I’ve seized on the annual holiday of Christmas as inspiration for a December article. For this year, though, I fancy a foray into the weather conditions associated with that holiday: that is, the cold. Christmas imagery is inseparable from low temperatures, what with all its snow, reindeer, and jolly gentlemen in fur-linedContinue reading “Cool Etymology: Chilled Jelly and Cold Gelato”
Tag Archives: linguistics
A Voice for the Voiceless: English’s Lost Consonants
In September this year, Catherine Clarke, professor at the Institute of Historical Research, published A History of England in 25 Poems. This chronological hike through England’s history via verses that its people have left behind was released to great acclaim – and no wonder, when the book manages to be comfortable and accessible, yet alsoContinue reading “A Voice for the Voiceless: English’s Lost Consonants”
‘Why Q Needs U’ – Out Today!
The long-awaited day (awaited by me at least) is here, as October 2nd is the publication day of my new book Why Q Needs U: A history of our letters and how we use them! Find it here: https://geni.us/WhyQNeedsU Published in the UK by Blink/Bonnier, it’s now available to find in British bookshops – asContinue reading “‘Why Q Needs U’ – Out Today!”
Reflections of Trieste
Like an insufferable fin-de-siècle socialite, I’m writing this on my honeymoon, a three-stop holiday that naturally never once ventures outside the old borders of the Austrian Empire.¹ As any self-respecting new husband should, it’s giving me the time to reflect on the two dearest things in life: a beautiful wife, and language history. No otherContinue reading “Reflections of Trieste”
You Know More Finnish Than You Think
Linguistics illuminates the linguistically obscure – or so I’ve always thought. It’s a common theme of my online output that a little bit of historical linguistics goes a long way, making helpful connections and breaking down psychological barriers. This theme was present in two old posts of mine that used etymology to elucidate two OldContinue reading “You Know More Finnish Than You Think”
‘Why Q Needs U’ cover reveal!
Friends, linguists, beloved subscribers, lend me your eyes! My new book Why Q Needs U has a cover. Now, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but you can judge a cover, and this one is looking good. This reveal also comes with a limited-time discount… A lot of thought and emails have goneContinue reading “‘Why Q Needs U’ cover reveal!”
The Liquid of the Elbe
High up in the Giant Mountains (Krkonoše), in the north of the Czech Republic, one of Europe’s mightiest rivers bubbles into life as a bit of soggy bog. This river is the Elbe, which rises on the southern slopes of Mount Violík, and soon picks up speed by crashing over and down the Elbe Falls,Continue reading “The Liquid of the Elbe”
‘Why Q Needs U’: New book due for release in October!
At last, the cat has been let out of the bag: my first book, entitled Why Q Needs U, is due for publication at the start of October this year! The announcement appeared in The Bookseller yesterday, which shared a few details about the book and its bewildered author, and started the marketing countdown toContinue reading “‘Why Q Needs U’: New book due for release in October!”
Introducing: My Czech Word of the Week!
Another linguistic newsflash from me – yes, I know, two newsflashes in two days, but I have been keeping busy. As a reward for good behaviour in my current job at Radio Prague International, I have been allowed my own mini series all about etymology. Entitled Word of the Week, each instalment takes a lookContinue reading “Introducing: My Czech Word of the Week!”
‘A Language I Love Is…’ returns for Series 3!
A linguistic newsflash from me: My podcast, A Language I Love Is…, has started its third series! This is the podcast that’s all about languages, linguistics and love, which allows me to spend time chatting to linguistic experts and discussing particular languages in great depth. The episodes are freely available on major podcast platforms, suchContinue reading “‘A Language I Love Is…’ returns for Series 3!”
Danny L. Bate 