#linguistics

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AI needs to work on its conversation game

AI struggles with turn-taking in conversations, while humans navigate this naturally by evaluating both verbal and non-verbal cues.
#cultural-identity

'Linguaphile' is Julie Sedivy's meditation on language

Julie Sedivy's memoir explores the joy and chaos of early language learning from diverse environments.
Her experiences illustrate the contrast between informal and formal language acquisition.

Can YOU tell if these accents are real? Take the test to find out

Some UK accents are harder to fake than others, suggesting an evolutionary advantage in detecting outsiders.

'Linguaphile' is Julie Sedivy's meditation on language

Julie Sedivy's memoir explores the joy and chaos of early language learning from diverse environments.
Her experiences illustrate the contrast between informal and formal language acquisition.

Can YOU tell if these accents are real? Take the test to find out

Some UK accents are harder to fake than others, suggesting an evolutionary advantage in detecting outsiders.
morecultural-identity
#word-game

Word Game: Nov. 12, 2024

Globulin is a versatile protein found in both plant and animal tissues, essential for biological functions.

Word Game: Nov. 19, 2024

The word game engages players to create at least 25 words from 'LINTER', emphasizing skill and creativity.

Word Game: Nov. 12, 2024

Globulin is a versatile protein found in both plant and animal tissues, essential for biological functions.

Word Game: Nov. 19, 2024

The word game engages players to create at least 25 words from 'LINTER', emphasizing skill and creativity.
moreword-game
#language

Sunday Puzzle: Two of the same

Identify a famous American whose name contains four identical consonants and has a total of eight letters.

Sunday Puzzle: Can you guess these words from these phonetic clues?

The phonetic puzzle challenges participants to combine sounds with letters to create new words or phrases.

Words of the year: maybe I'm delulu, but these don't seem like words people actually use

Words of the year often lack genuine usage outside niche communities, as evidenced by their absence in crossword puzzles.

Everyday Philosophy: Do emojis help or hurt our language?

Emojis complicate communication, provoking a discussion on whether they enrich or impoverish language use and understanding.

What Bridezillas Can Tell Us About English

English can create new terms by combining prefixes and suffixes without strict rules.
The suffix '-zilla' originated from 'Godzilla' and has a few notable usages.

"When Life Gives You Lemons..." And 19 Other Phrases You May Or May Not Know The Second Half To

Anapodoton allows the main clause to be inferred from a subordinate clause, enabling concise communication.

Sunday Puzzle: Two of the same

Identify a famous American whose name contains four identical consonants and has a total of eight letters.

Sunday Puzzle: Can you guess these words from these phonetic clues?

The phonetic puzzle challenges participants to combine sounds with letters to create new words or phrases.

Words of the year: maybe I'm delulu, but these don't seem like words people actually use

Words of the year often lack genuine usage outside niche communities, as evidenced by their absence in crossword puzzles.

Everyday Philosophy: Do emojis help or hurt our language?

Emojis complicate communication, provoking a discussion on whether they enrich or impoverish language use and understanding.

What Bridezillas Can Tell Us About English

English can create new terms by combining prefixes and suffixes without strict rules.
The suffix '-zilla' originated from 'Godzilla' and has a few notable usages.

"When Life Gives You Lemons..." And 19 Other Phrases You May Or May Not Know The Second Half To

Anapodoton allows the main clause to be inferred from a subordinate clause, enabling concise communication.
morelanguage
#cognitive-science

Prompt Chemistry: Building "Word Catalysts" to Optimize LLMs

The evolution in prompt design enhances AI engagement, viewing prompts as compounds that deepen cognitive interactions.

Fifteen Word-Link Puzzles

Connective thinking reveals how language and meaning are interconnected, highlighting cognitive processes through word puzzles.

Prompt Chemistry: Building "Word Catalysts" to Optimize LLMs

The evolution in prompt design enhances AI engagement, viewing prompts as compounds that deepen cognitive interactions.

Fifteen Word-Link Puzzles

Connective thinking reveals how language and meaning are interconnected, highlighting cognitive processes through word puzzles.
morecognitive-science
#language-evolution

Could we ever decipher an alien language? Uncovering how AI communicates may be the key

AI research on emergent communication could provide insights into the evolution of human language.

Touch grass,' For You page': See 200 new words and phrases added to Merriam-Webster

Merriam-Webster adds 200 new words to reflect the evolving English language, showcasing changes influenced by science, politics, and social media.

How 'misspoke' has shifted to become a political weasel word

Politicians increasingly use 'misspoke' to downplay inaccuracies, shifting from mere errors to misrepresentation.
The term 'misspoke' has evolved into a euphemism for lying in political discourse.

Opinion | Donald Trump Is Bored

Trump's extravagant language choices reflect boredom rather than cognitive decline.
Linguistic extravagance highlights the desire to be noticed and expressive.
Humor and exaggeration significantly enhance communication.

Searching for Thongs at Walmart

Language evolves over time, leading to sometimes humorous misunderstandings of new meanings.
Words can change meaning drastically across generations, affecting communication.

Could we ever decipher an alien language? Uncovering how AI communicates may be the key

AI research on emergent communication could provide insights into the evolution of human language.

Touch grass,' For You page': See 200 new words and phrases added to Merriam-Webster

Merriam-Webster adds 200 new words to reflect the evolving English language, showcasing changes influenced by science, politics, and social media.

How 'misspoke' has shifted to become a political weasel word

Politicians increasingly use 'misspoke' to downplay inaccuracies, shifting from mere errors to misrepresentation.
The term 'misspoke' has evolved into a euphemism for lying in political discourse.

Opinion | Donald Trump Is Bored

Trump's extravagant language choices reflect boredom rather than cognitive decline.
Linguistic extravagance highlights the desire to be noticed and expressive.
Humor and exaggeration significantly enhance communication.

Searching for Thongs at Walmart

Language evolves over time, leading to sometimes humorous misunderstandings of new meanings.
Words can change meaning drastically across generations, affecting communication.
morelanguage-evolution

Word Game: Nov. 5, 2024

Participants can create multiple words from 'Hector' while adhering to specific game rules.
Quality word selections showcase creativity and linguistic skills in daily challenges.

Runes prove Elfdalian is distinct ancient Nordic language, say researchers

Elfdalian is a unique language with ancient roots, currently seeking acknowledgment as a distinct minority language in Sweden.
#education

WOLF lab is working to document, preserve Native languages - Harvard Gazette

Revitalizing the endangered Alabama language is vital as it connects the community to their culture and identity.

101 Mind-Blowing Facts That Sound Like They're Big Huge Lies But Are Actually Completely, Totally, 100% True

The time difference between T-Rex and Stegosaurus exceeds the difference between T-Rex and today.

WOLF lab is working to document, preserve Native languages - Harvard Gazette

Revitalizing the endangered Alabama language is vital as it connects the community to their culture and identity.

101 Mind-Blowing Facts That Sound Like They're Big Huge Lies But Are Actually Completely, Totally, 100% True

The time difference between T-Rex and Stegosaurus exceeds the difference between T-Rex and today.
moreeducation

Events celebrate Chinese composer who also transformed language | Cornell Chronicle

The event at Cornell celebrates Chao Yuen-Ren's contributions to music and linguistics, highlighting his innovative blending of musical styles and language reform.
from www.npr.org
1 month ago

Touch grass,' For You page': See 200 new words and phrases added to Merriam-Webster

Merriam-Webster adds 200 new words and phrases, reflecting changes in language due to social media, politics, and science.
#kamala-harris

What a Linguist Hears when Kamala Harris Speaks

Kamala Harris's communication style is crucial to understanding her presidential campaign strategy.

Linguist Analyzes Election Debate Performances

Language in debates reflects candidates' identity and strategy.
Kamala Harris balances formal presidential language with her cultural speech patterns to engage voters.

What a Linguist Hears when Kamala Harris Speaks

Kamala Harris's communication style is crucial to understanding her presidential campaign strategy.

Linguist Analyzes Election Debate Performances

Language in debates reflects candidates' identity and strategy.
Kamala Harris balances formal presidential language with her cultural speech patterns to engage voters.
morekamala-harris

Aargh, It's Talk Like a Pirate Day

New York University is celebrating International Talk Like a Pirate Day with a video on the history of pirate language.

Sunday Puzzle: Antonyms Attract

Listeners must change one letter in each of two words to form antonyms, tapping into linguistic creativity.

The strangest insult in US politics: why do Republicans call it the Democrat party'?

The term 'Democrat party' is used as a linguistic tactic to undermine the Democratic Party's identity and demonstrate affiliation among certain political groups.

Where Does The Term 'Snack' Come From? - Tasting Table

The word 'snack' has evolved from denoting light food to also describing attractiveness, showcasing its cultural significance and linguistic flexibility.

Solving a 2,500-Year-Old Puzzle: How a Cambridge Student Cracked an Ancient Sanskrit Code

Taking a break can lead to breakthroughs in solving long-standing intellectual problems.
Rishi Rajpopat's insights into Pāṇini's grammar illustrate the benefits of fresh perspectives after periods of disengagement.

The new plague ridden Duolingo logo is making me sad

Duolingo's redesign of its mascot Duo reflects a creative but alarming marketing tactic to encourage user engagement in language learning.
#communication

AI Helping to Decode Sperm Whale Language

Sperm whale communication, now revealed to be complex and structured, shows similarities to human language through advanced AI understanding.

The Cognitive Neuroscientist Who Helped Unravel the Mysteries of Language

Sign language has specific building blocks and rules like spoken language.
Ursula Bellugi's discoveries about sign language complexity deepened understanding of communication.

An alternative to touchscreens? In-car voice control is finally good

Over the past decade or so, cars have become pretty complicated machines, with often complex user interfaces.Mostly, the industry has added touch to the near-ubiquitous infotainment screen-it makes manufacturing simpler and cheaper and UI design more flexible, even if there's plenty of evidence that touchscreen interfaces increase driver distraction.

AI Helping to Decode Sperm Whale Language

Sperm whale communication, now revealed to be complex and structured, shows similarities to human language through advanced AI understanding.

The Cognitive Neuroscientist Who Helped Unravel the Mysteries of Language

Sign language has specific building blocks and rules like spoken language.
Ursula Bellugi's discoveries about sign language complexity deepened understanding of communication.

An alternative to touchscreens? In-car voice control is finally good

Over the past decade or so, cars have become pretty complicated machines, with often complex user interfaces.Mostly, the industry has added touch to the near-ubiquitous infotainment screen-it makes manufacturing simpler and cheaper and UI design more flexible, even if there's plenty of evidence that touchscreen interfaces increase driver distraction.
morecommunication

Opinion | Harris Gonna Code Switch

Language is increasingly recognized for its dynamic nature, especially through social media and public discourse.
Criticism of code-switching reflects societal biases against linguistic adaptability, evident in responses to public figures like Kamala Harris.
#machine-learning

Scientists reveal place names that are most 'archetypically English'

'Harlington' is identified as the most English-sounding place name in England, according to an AI study.
The study used machine learning to compare English place names to place names from 10 other European locations to determine their Englishness.

Machine learning helps to discover sperm whale 'alphabet'

Researchers applied machine learning to decode sperm whale communication 'alphabet' through coda sequences, similar to human linguistic structures.

Scientists reveal place names that are most 'archetypically English'

'Harlington' is identified as the most English-sounding place name in England, according to an AI study.
The study used machine learning to compare English place names to place names from 10 other European locations to determine their Englishness.

Machine learning helps to discover sperm whale 'alphabet'

Researchers applied machine learning to decode sperm whale communication 'alphabet' through coda sequences, similar to human linguistic structures.
moremachine-learning

Is the English language really just 'badly pronounced French'?

French linguist explains the intertwined history of the English and French languages, emphasizing how English absorbed numerous words from various origins.

The severed hand' revealing how Stone Age Brits spoke to each other

Studies indicate a potential link between Basque language and prehistoric Western Europe.
Genetic and archaeological evidence point to a Middle-East origin for Neolithic languages in Europe.

New Linguistics Technique Could Reveal Who Spoke the First Indo-European Languages

Indo-European languages share a common origin traced back thousands of years.
A new analysis suggests the origin of the Indo-European language may have been with a community of farmers in Anatolia, modern-day Turkey.

The Weekender

Newly found photos revive questions about deadly expedition on Aconcagua
Africans contribute to the evolution and spread of the French language
#people

Lance Askildson: Here is why ChatGPT can never replace writers, educators or humans in general

Recent advances in artificial intelligence have given rise to hyperbolic predictions of the decline of many human roles and professions.In fact, purported AI platforms such as ChatGPT will never be meaningful replacements for writers, educators or people in general.To understand why this is true, it is critical to remind ourselves of what ChatGPT is and how its architecture and capabilities relate to the science of human learning and the arts of writing and teaching, respectively.

Scary 'Emergent' AI Abilities Are Just a 'Mirage' Produced by Researchers, Stanford Study Says

In a new paper, Stanford researchers say they have shown that so-called "emergent abilities" in AI modelswhen a large model suddenly displays an ability it ostensibly was not designed to possessare actually a "mirage" produced by researchers.Many researchers and industry leaders, such as Google CEO Sundar Pichai, have perpetuated the idea that large language models like GPT-4 and Google's Bard can suddenly spit out knowledge that it wasn't programmed to know.

Roger C. Schank, Theorist of Artificial Intelligence, Dies at 76

Roger C. Schank, a scientist who made influential contributions to the field of artificial intelligence and then, as an academic, author and entrepreneur, focused on how people learn, died on Jan. 29 in Shelburne, Vt.He was 76.His wife, Annie Schank, said the cause was heart failure.She added that Dr. Schank, who lived in Quebec, had been in failing health for more than a year.

OpenAI CEO heralds AGI no one in their right mind would want

Comment OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has said his upstart is preparing for the coming of artificial general intelligence - though there's disagreement about what AGI actually means and skepticism about his claim that OpenAI's mission is to ensure that AGI "benefits all humanity."If you teared up at the legally non-binding sentiment of Google's discontinued "Don't be evil" diktat, read on.

Get a Load of This New Job: "Prompt Engineers" Who Act as Psychologists to AI Chatbots

With the surge of AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Microsoft's Bing AI, companies are looking to keep their AI models up to date, ensuring they aren't spitting out hallucinations, misinformation, and even creepy threats - all of which they're prone to do in their current state.The trend has even given birth to a new profession, "prompt engineering," which involves simply speaking to these chatbots in plain text to refine their ability to give relevant and trustworthy answers.

While many ring in the Year of the Rabbit, Vietnam celebrates the cat

Cat stickers hang on display last week in Hanoi, Vietnam.The Lunar New Year begins on Sunday and marks the Year of the Cat in Vietnam and the Year of the Rabbit in China, South Korea and other East and Southeast Asian countries.Linh Pham/Getty Images The Lunar New Year begins on Sunday, and more than a billion people will ring in a fresh year, prompting one of the world's largest annual migrations as observers travel for family reunions.

Lance Askildson: Here is why ChatGPT can never replace writers, educators or humans in general

Recent advances in artificial intelligence have given rise to hyperbolic predictions of the decline of many human roles and professions.In fact, purported AI platforms such as ChatGPT will never be meaningful replacements for writers, educators or people in general.To understand why this is true, it is critical to remind ourselves of what ChatGPT is and how its architecture and capabilities relate to the science of human learning and the arts of writing and teaching, respectively.

Scary 'Emergent' AI Abilities Are Just a 'Mirage' Produced by Researchers, Stanford Study Says

In a new paper, Stanford researchers say they have shown that so-called "emergent abilities" in AI modelswhen a large model suddenly displays an ability it ostensibly was not designed to possessare actually a "mirage" produced by researchers.Many researchers and industry leaders, such as Google CEO Sundar Pichai, have perpetuated the idea that large language models like GPT-4 and Google's Bard can suddenly spit out knowledge that it wasn't programmed to know.

Roger C. Schank, Theorist of Artificial Intelligence, Dies at 76

Roger C. Schank, a scientist who made influential contributions to the field of artificial intelligence and then, as an academic, author and entrepreneur, focused on how people learn, died on Jan. 29 in Shelburne, Vt.He was 76.His wife, Annie Schank, said the cause was heart failure.She added that Dr. Schank, who lived in Quebec, had been in failing health for more than a year.

OpenAI CEO heralds AGI no one in their right mind would want

Comment OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has said his upstart is preparing for the coming of artificial general intelligence - though there's disagreement about what AGI actually means and skepticism about his claim that OpenAI's mission is to ensure that AGI "benefits all humanity."If you teared up at the legally non-binding sentiment of Google's discontinued "Don't be evil" diktat, read on.

Get a Load of This New Job: "Prompt Engineers" Who Act as Psychologists to AI Chatbots

With the surge of AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Microsoft's Bing AI, companies are looking to keep their AI models up to date, ensuring they aren't spitting out hallucinations, misinformation, and even creepy threats - all of which they're prone to do in their current state.The trend has even given birth to a new profession, "prompt engineering," which involves simply speaking to these chatbots in plain text to refine their ability to give relevant and trustworthy answers.

While many ring in the Year of the Rabbit, Vietnam celebrates the cat

Cat stickers hang on display last week in Hanoi, Vietnam.The Lunar New Year begins on Sunday and marks the Year of the Cat in Vietnam and the Year of the Rabbit in China, South Korea and other East and Southeast Asian countries.Linh Pham/Getty Images The Lunar New Year begins on Sunday, and more than a billion people will ring in a fresh year, prompting one of the world's largest annual migrations as observers travel for family reunions.
morepeople

What Is "Woke"?

Listen and subscribe: Apple | Spotify | Google | Wherever You Listen
Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter of the best New Yorker podcasts.Lately, conservatives have blamed "wokeness" for everything from deadly mass shootings to lower military recruitment.Still, few have a ready definition for what the word means.

Aleksandar Hemon on his new novel 'The World And All That It Holds'

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Aleksandar Hemon about his new novel "The World And All That It Holds," a tale of war and love that spans nearly a century.SCOTT SIMON, HOST: Rafael Pinto was there in Sarajevo when shots rang out in 1914.Let's ask Aleksandar Hemon to read from his new novel, "The World And All It Holds."

February Spotlight: Letters In The Mail - The Rumpus.net

February Spotlight: Letters in the Mail
Twice a month, The Rumpus brings your favorite writers directly to your IRL mailbox via our Letters in the Mail programs.We've got one program for adults and another for kids ages 6-12.Next month, subscribers will be receiving letters from Matthew Salesses and Anuradha Bhowmik, and Eleanor Glewwe and Lee Edward Födi, respectively.

Washington Preps for Visit From Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy This Week

Zelenskyy said the purpose of his visit is to "strengthen resilience and defense capabilities" of his country.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky makes a surprise visit to Kherson on November 14, 2022, in Kherson, Ukraine.Paula Bronstein / Getty Images Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Washington, D.C. on Wednesday to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden and speak directly to Congress, which is set to vote later this week on increasing funding for Ukraine as it continues its war against Russia.

The Truth About English Grammar by Geoffrey K Pullum review the pants rule and other pipe dreams

Not all traditional grammar rules are accurate; Pullum challenges conventional wisdom with alternative grammar perspectives.
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