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A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over

Off the Turnip Truck (Rebroadcast) - 15 February 2021

A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over

A Way with Words

Language Learning, Society & Culture, Education

4.62.3K Ratings

🗓️ 15 February 2021

⏱️ 52 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

It's hard to imagine now, but there was a time when people disagreed over the best word to use when answering the phone. Alexander Graham Bell suggested answering with ahoy! but Thomas Edison was partial to hello! A fascinating new book about internet language says this disagreement is worth remembering when we talk about how greetings are evolving today — both online and off. Plus, a Los Angeles teacher asks: What are the rules for teen profanity in the classroom? Finally, why some people mimic the accents of others. It might be simple thoughtlessness, but it might also be an earnest, if awkward, attempt to communicate. Plus, a puzzle about specialty cocktails, mafted, fair game, dial eight, commander in chief, Roosevelt's eggs, Charlie's dead, and lots more. Read full show notes, hear hundreds of free episodes, send your thoughts and questions, and learn more on the A Way with Words website: https://waywordradio.org/. Email words@waywordradio.org. Twitter @wayword. Our listener phone line 1 (877) 929-9673 is toll-free in the United States and Canada. Elsewhere in the world, call +1 (619) 800-4443; charges may apply. From anywhere, text/SMS +1 (619) 567-9673. Copyright Wayword, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

All right, I'm Jack Greenlich.

0:02.0

I think you can listen to music from relaxing to celebrating, to getting yourself prepared.

0:08.0

I like all sorts, honestly. I like hip-hop, R&B, and then house music as well.

0:13.0

So yeah, there's no guilt with players around here.

0:15.0

Jack wears the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra headphones, enjoying his favourite music,

0:20.0

with more immersive sounds than ever before.

0:23.0

Wow, the music's just everything, isn't it?

0:25.0

Search Bose headphones.

0:27.0

Bose, sound is power.

0:30.0

You're listening to a way with words, the show about language and how we use it.

0:34.0

I'm Grant Barrett.

0:35.0

And I'm Martha Barnett, and no texting is not destroying the English language.

0:41.0

And if you want proof of that, then you need to run right out and get the wonderful book

0:45.0

Because Internet by Gretchen McCulloch.

0:48.0

She's a linguist who analyzes the language of electronic communication,

0:52.0

so tweets and texts and the like.

0:55.0

And Grant, I think you'll agree that it's a smart introduction to language and linguistics in general.

0:59.0

Perfect. Yes.

1:00.0

And it's rich with insights about language in the digital age.

1:04.0

For example, she points out that it's not that writing has completely changed in the digital age,

1:09.0

but rather it's forked into formal and informal versions.

1:14.0

She writes, the Internet didn't create informal writing, but it did make it more common,

...

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