On todays episode of Modern Notion Daily, our guest is Carmel OShannessy, a linguist at the University of Michigan. For more than a decade, OShannessy has been researching the genesis of a new language, Light Warlpiri, in Australias Northern Territory. We talk with her about why the language is unique, and we even hear a clip of some spoken Light Warlpiri. Later in the hour, contributing editor Emma Bryce joins us to talk about vulture restaurants, an effort to save Asias vultures from a harmful drug.

Music this hour:

“Elle va au Japon” by Nic Bommarito, from the album A Quiet Age

“Soldiertype (militarised)” by Ketsa, from the album What’s Without’s Within

Backed Vibes Clean by Kevin MacLeod, from the album Jazz Sampler

“Á Minuit, le 31 Décembre” by Monroeville Music Center, from the album Le Progrés

“It’s Always Too Late to Start Over” by Chris Zabriskie, from the album Direct to Video