# linguistics
All time
Voices
The Irish For: Was Dracula's name inspired by Gaeilge? Probably not, but coincidence can be lovely
There are plenty of linguistic similarities between Irish and other languages.
# mblíp mblíp
8 Irish words and phrases that English just can't match
There’s a word for ‘trying to talk while bawling crying’.
# mondegreen
Someone finally explained why you think Taylor Swift is singing 'Starbucks lovers'
This will put you at ease.
Voices
Column: How does colour affect our way of seeing the world?
Language affects worldview in minuscule ways, as a study of colour perception has shown.
Voices
Column: How social media is changing language
Pay attention to discussions in your social networks and you can spot emerging new words, new uses of words — and maybe even coin one yourself.
Voices
Video: Error-laden pidgin or creative creole? The Irish of the Gaelscoil
Is the mixture of Irish vocabulary and English grammar spoken by students in immersion courses simply incorrect language… or a linguistic gem?
Voices
Column: Let’s stop the blame game about learning Irish
Recognising Ireland’s place in an international context allows us to explore the real reasons for our widespread weakness in learning Irish, as well as foreign languages, writes Dermot McNally.
Voices
Column: What does ‘I love you’ mean?
I am Spanish. My husband is American. The first time I realised emotion words may not mean the same thing in different languages was when he first told me “I love you”, writes Cristina Soriano.
# superfluity of nuns
13 of the English language's most delightful collective nouns
A wunch of bankers?
Voices
Column: Yola and Fingalian – the forgotten ancient English dialects of Ireland
Yola was a fascinating mediaeval English dialect only spoken in Wexford which, along with Fingallian in Co Dublin, demonstrates the rich, multicultural society that was ancient Ireland, writes Damian Shiels.
# Mouths of Babes
Toddlers' speech is far more advanced than previously thought
The sound of toddlers babbling might seem like random sounds but is actually much more sophisticated than previously thought, according to a new study.
Voices
Column: What does ‘feck’ really mean?
It’s practically our national swearword – but what do we mean when we say ‘feck’? And where did it come from? Stan Carey explains. (Contains strong language)
# Language
Ukraine adopts controversial language bill
Opponents say the law could upset Ukraine’s fragile linguistic balance and is a cheap ploy by the President to win votes ahead of October’s parliamentary elections.
# coochy coo
Babies can understand meaning of words from 6 months - study
New research indicates that infants as young as six months can understand the meaning of full words – twice as early as previously believed.
