Language
Merriam-Webster gets spicy and political with new dictionary words
Our favorite dictionary-turned-Twitter-wise-guy is back with fresh insights into our crazy, crazy times.<p>Merriam-Webster is expanding its vocabulary list with over 250 new words and definitions. While some of them reflect outstanding technological and societal changes, others seem to hint at how …
Froyo, sriracha, California roll: Merriam-Webster adds 250 new words
Maybe Merriam-Webster.com recently onboarded a few foodies, because froyo, sriracha and California roll now have dictionary definitions.<p>The dictionary added 250 new words Monday.<p>Froyo is now an acceptable way to describe frozen yogurt. Sriracha is "a pungent sauce that is made from hot peppers …
Merriam-Webster Updates Definitions for ‘Troll’ and ‘Dog-Whistle’
Depending on who you ask, the times are either a-changin’ or it’s more of the same old nonsense. One of the most reliable bellwethers can be found in the reference section. Year by year, Merriam-Webster updates its entries to reflect popular shifts in everyday lingo, and this year 250 entries have …
Bill SkarsgardSiri has a peppy new voice. But that’s not the most important thing.
We spoke to vocal experts about the digital assistant’s new pipes.<p>Have you heard? Siri, the virtual persona that speaks from your iPhone, sounds different now. The new voice officially rolls out today as a part of Apple’s latest mobile operating system, iOS 11. Her new pipes make her sound higher …
Gear & GadgetsMerriam-Webster redefines 'troll' and 'dog whistle' to conform to the times
<b>(CNN) —</b> In the months since last November's election, the Merriam-Webster dictionary has been on overdrive.<p>It's transformed itself into a cheeky, fact-checking machine. And in the process, it's struck social gold (more than half a million Twitter followers and counting).<p>On Monday, the dictionary …
Chinese Rap Breaking Free of Mandarin
On his recent track “Stupid Foreigners,” rapper Cai Zhenhong — better known as “Xie Di” or “Fat Shady” — rails against arrogant and entitled expatriates living in his homeland. Although it drew attention primarily for its provocative subject matter, the track is also notable for being entirely in …
ChinaLearn medical vocabulary with this dialogue about joint pain
Joint Pain<p>Read the following dialogue between a patient and her doctor as they discuss joint pain during an appointment. Practice the dialogue with a …
PainLanguage debate: Speak in your mother tongue, not English says Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu
Don’t forget your motherland and native place, he said at an event held to commemorate the birth centenary of Carnatic music legend MS …
IndiaPardon my French: Quebec eases up on dozens of English terms
For decades, the guardians of the French language in Quebec have waged a relentless battle against encroachments of English into everyday life. So it's no small matter that the watchdogs have given their blessing to the humble grilled-cheese sandwich.<p>Under a new policy from the Office québécois de …
CanadaQUIZ: How good is your grammar?
Which of these sentences is grammatically correct?<p>Do you see who I see?<p>Do you see whom I see?<p>"That was a total disaster." What part of speech is …
Grammar'Froyo' and 'Sriracha' are now in the dictionary. What took you so long, Merriam-Webster?
This is the life cycle of a food trend: First, it starts bubbling up in cool boutique shops in New York or Los Angeles or San Francisco, and then every city in America has it. It goes mass-market, then there's a backlash, and then a backlash to the backlash, and eventually, if it's something truly …
FoodWhy there are so few words for blue
Some languages have a word for green, others don't. Nearly all have one for red. A new study across 100 different languages suggests whether colors …
ScienceFlashback: 'Pothead' and 'Funky' amongst words added to dictionary in 1975
<i>Editor's note: Take a look back into The Dallas Morning News archives.</i><p>As language expands and reflects contemporary culture, our dictionaries do as …
TexasLanguages don't all have the same number of terms for colors – scientists have a new theory why
People with standard vision can see millions of distinct colors. But human language categorizes these into a small set of words. In an industrialized …
CommunicateInternational Talk Like a Pirate Day – Pirate phrases to say to ye crew mates
International Talk Like A Pirate Day happens this Tuesday, September 19.<p>The International Day of talking like a pirate began in 2002 and is still …
Melania Trump threatens lawsuit over English class billboard
The billboards were part of a marketing campaign by a private English language school, with the slogan "just imagine how far you can go with a little …
Melania TrumpFinancial Dictionary of Finance Terms & Definition
Wall Street Oasis Finance Dictionary<p>Below you will find an extensive and ever-growing <b>list of finance terms and definitions</b>, as well as financial …
FinanceLingQ
<b>Pros</b><p>Lets you design your own learning path. You can jump to different lessons at will. Online video call tutoring offered. Lessons are appropriately …
Language LearningMy Mother Speaks Through Me
I was looking forward to having my friend Tamara over for dinner last year, since she had hosted me and my husband many times. But it didn’t turn out as I’d expected. Tamara kept trying to help in various ways, like retrieving items from the kitchen or clearing items from the table. Each time, I …
OpinionIn New Zealand, a Translated ‘Moana’ Bolsters an Indigenous Language
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — The families lined up at the theater above a shopping mall here in New Zealand’s biggest city and filed past posters for Stephen King’s “It” and “Captain Underpants” for a film unlike any they had ever seen — the Disney hit “Moana,” translated into the indigenous language of …
The ArtsWhat's Going On With 'Nonplussed'?
Prefixes are treacherous little beasts. Just when you think you've come to an understanding, prefixes such as <i>in</i>- will come along and carry meanings …
VocabularyScientific Study Says Science Papers Have Become Harder to Read Over Last Century
Daylighting this declining trend in readability should remind scientists that their choice of words is just as important as their decisions about …
Research'Le grilled-cheese' and other select anglicisms get stamp of approval from Quebec language watchdog
MONTREAL – For decades, the Office québécois de la langue française has stood as a rampart against the relentless creep of English. In France, people …
Canadian NewsDetroit sports definitions for Merriam-Webster's new dictionary words
Skip in<p>x<p>Embed<p>CLOSE<p>Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh answers questions during his weekly press conference.<p>Merriam-Webster announced today the …
DetroitTe reo learnings could help save endangered Brazilian languages
Brazilian academic Marcia Nascimento, left, and her Maori counterpart, Mari Ropata-Te Hei, are working together on an indigenous languages …
New Zealand News7 new Merriam-Webster definitions you should Know
It’s a busy time for the American lexicon, and the folks over at Merriam-Webster are doing their best to keep up.<p>The Springfield-based company …
Internet of ThingsSamuel Johnson created the first great English dictionary. He was also hilarious.
Monday would have been the 308th birthday of Dr. Samuel Johnson, author of <i>The Dictionary of the English Language</i> and the subject of today’s Google Doodle. Johnson’s contributions to the English language are enormous — his 1755 dictionary was the first truly comprehensive dictionary of the language, …
Samuel JohnsonThe 9 Persuasive Words That Instantly Help You Sell More
There are 8 intoxicatingly persuasive words in the English language that are more effective than any other words for convincing a person to take …
MarketingFlorida county’s fake ASL translator has become a sensation
Hearing-impaired people looking for help didn't find any, because their sign language translator couldn't sign<p>In times of crisis, those of us not in the danger zone have enjoyed what has become a time-honored tradition: Sign language interpreters. It started with Lydia Callis, who stole the show …
Liberal View3 Languages Children Should Learn for Success Later in Life
<i>This content originally appeared on Travel + Leisure.</i><p>The Centre for Economics and Business Research and Opinion conducted the study in partnership …
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