Today, Robert and Rachel are talking about pidgin vs. creole vs. patois. What are the difference and similarities among these unique languages? Where are they used and how are they formed?

As our word of the day, we're talking about "Forensic!"

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Welcome back to Talking Language!

Today's word of the day is more of a phrase. We'll be discussing the origin and meaning of 'Lingua Franca.'

Also, we're going to dig into the notion of a global language. Will there one day be a language that everyone will speak across the planet? Will we need to learn new languages to communicate? Listen in to find out if we're already on our way and hear what we think are the pros and cons.

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Robert and Rachel are rolling out a new format! Starting this week, we'll be breaking down the etymology of a word and then get into our main topic.  

On today's episode we're talking about the word "diaspora" and its importance within linguistics. 

We're also discussing natural vs. invented changes, primarily within the English language. Some changes happen naturally as inspired by music, food, and migration. Other changes are invented or forced. Whether a change is natural or forced, languages are in a constant state of evolution.

We're back! It's been two years since our last episode aired and we are so excited to be back on the airwaves. 

On today's episode, we have a very special guest, Dr. Carlos Yebra López, a lecturer at NYU. He is the self-proclaimed "Hyperpolyglot Activist" and founder of thehyperpolyglotactivist.com and ladino21.org. Through his project, Ladino 21, he is on a mission to preserve the Ladino language with a digital archive, lessons, and engaging speakers in online communities. But... what is Ladino? Dr. Carlos is going to break it all down for us.

You can check out Dr. Carlos' work at

thehyperpolyglotactivist.com and ladino21.org

He can also be found on YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook

Do languages shape the way we think? Well, simply, yes. How can they not? Rachel and Robert discuss how the language you speak shapes your thoughts, ideas, feelings, etc. It's a doozy! Tune into to the season finale of Talking Language Podcast! Season 2 will be out in late winter. If you have any feedback for Season 1, please email us at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!

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In our penultimate episode of Season 1, Rachel and Robert talk about their difference in speech. Robert is a baby boomer, Rachel a millennial. They break down why speech changes and how it's always evolving. Are changes in speech decided by the younger generations and what will happen to English in 5000 years? Robert has some interesting theories.... so tune in!

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This week Rachel Zirkle and Robert Aiudi sit down with actor (and Rachel's husband) Taylor Miller. Taylor has done several plays and films where he has been required to use an accent foreign to his own. We talk to him about how he learns a new accent. Robert also shares his knowledge as he's trained a number of students in various accents. We also talk about the incredible universality of Shakespeare! Tune in!

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Your mouth may water with this week's episode! We talk food words. Robert, aka the Language Chef, and Rachel discuss everything from beef vs cow to the origin of sushi; from why France is a culinary mecca to the pronunciation etiquette of various food names and recipes from around the world. Bon appetit! 

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In this week's episode, we're talking all about our foreign travels. Robert talks about his adventures in Italy, Scotland, and China and Rachel, her adventures through Germany, France, and Peru.

Tune in to hear all about our experiences with travel and language. And share your stories and photos with us. Email us at [email protected] and we may feature you on our Instagram and Facebook!

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Robert is from Connecticut. Rachel is from Colorado, by way of Texas. In this weeks episode, they talk about each other's accents, as well as how accents in America formed and why and how accents can change. They also talk about the amazing accent work of Meryl Streep, and why Rachel never noticed that her parents had Southern accents!

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