More than half the world’s approximately 7,000 languages will have no speakers left in the coming decades. Some are working feverishly to preserve or maintain them. Others are asking: Why bother? John explains. 

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Reviving Dead Languages

A podcast about language, with host John McWhorter. 

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The simple verb to go quickly gets complex in just about any language and English is no exception. John explains. 

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Going Deep

What does the bat in “acrobat” have to do with the word come? John explains. 

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Come Under Scrutiny

Reflexive pronouns are redundant in a way, sure, but they’re also quite common in many languages. John explains. 

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Have Your Own Damn Self a Merry Little Christmas

There’s good reason to believe that sophisticated speech began long before homo sapiens hit the scene. John explains. 

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When Did People Start Talking?

Does Ayesha Rascoe have a good radio voice? Not according to many NPR listeners, who find her loud, high-pitched and generally grating. John explains. 

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Reviving Dead Languages

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