On today’s episode of Spectacular Vernacular, Nicole and Ben discuss Creole languages. They also interview Rupal Patel, professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Computer Science at Northeastern University and the founder of VocaliD. And finally, Josh Levin and Joel Anderson, co-hosts of Slate’s sports podcast Hang Up and Listen join us for some wordplay. We hope you’re good at playing the basketball game of Horse. You could win a year’s membership to Slate Plus.

Do you have any language questions or fun facts to share? Email us at [email protected].  

Produced by Jasmine Ellis and Asha Saluja. 

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

BBC Pidgin 

ThoughtCo., “What You Should Know About Creole Language” 

Jamaican Creole at York College, “An Introduction to Jamaican Creole (also called Patwa or Patois)”

Omniglot, “Haitian Creole (Kreyòl ayisyen)” 

Rupal Patel’s 2013 TED Talk, “Synthetic Voices, as Unique as Fingerprints” 

VocaliD, the company founded by Rupal Patel 

VocaliD’s Parrot Studio

“One Year: 1995,” hosted by Josh Levin 

“Slow Burn: The L.A. Riots,” hoted by Joel Anderson 

“Hang Up and Listen,” hosted by Josh Levin, Joel Anderson, and Stefan Fatsis 

Josh’s Slate piece on the history of the “air ball” chant 

Joel Anderson’s special episode of “Hang Up and Listen” on Michael Jordan and the Washington Wizards

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