Otherwords

Épisode 1 - The Unexpected Origins of the Word ‘Monster’

24 mars 2021 - 5/5

Words don't pop up fully formed... they evolve over thousands of years. What can we learn about our relationship to monsters by tracking the word down into the distant past? The Unexpected Origins of the Word ‘Monster’ (feat. Dr. Z)

Épisode 2 - What's the Longest Word?

14 avril 2021 - 5/5

Before we decide from a long list of contenders, we'll have to figure out what the word "word" really means...

Épisode 3 - From Alan Turing to GPT-3: The Evolution of Computer Speech

5 mai 2021 - 5/5

Can Computers REALLY Talk? Or Are They Faking It? New advancements in technology are making it harder than ever to tell the difference between a computer and a human speaker... but what's going on under the hood? Is it really "language," or just a digital illusion?

Épisode 4 - What People Get Wrong About African-American English

16 juin 2021 - 5/5

It's one of the most studied — and most controversial — varieties of English. But many people still hold deep misconceptions about African-American English (AAE).

Épisode 5 - Popular Words Invented by Authors

28 juillet 2021 - 5/5

Authors often create words just for a one-time usage... but a special few will gain traction and become full-fledged parts of our shared lexicon! Otherwords is a new PBS web series on Storied that digs deep into this quintessential human trait of language and fınds the fascinating, thought-provoking, and funny stories behind the words and sounds we take for granted. Incorporating the fıelds of biology, history, cultural studies, literature, and more, linguistics has something for everyone and offers a unique perspective into what it means to be human.

Épisode 6 - 60 Euphemisms for Death!

20 septembre 2021 - 5/5

No topic is as universally avoided--yet universally unavoidable--as DEATH. So, it's got a lot of euphemisms in virtually every language.

Épisode 1 - Is Swearing Good for Your Brain?

20 janvier 2022

Does swearing get a bad rap? There's evidence that the shouting obscenities has an evolutionary purpose... and may be good for your psyche!

Épisode 2 - Snowclones and Clichés and Memes, Oh My!

24 février 2022

How Do Clichés Evolve into Memes? Adaptable clichés called "snowclones" are EVERYWHERE on the internet. We use them for memes, inside jokes, to show our membership of the group. But they weren't invented online. In fact, they're way older than you think!

Épisode 3 - The Screwed-Up History of English Spelling

24 mars 2022

The English spelling system is a MESS... arguably more than any other language. How did it get this way?

Épisode 4 - Pronouns: Little Words That Say A Lot

21 avril 2022

Pronouns may be little, but they say a lot, and they're always changing!

Épisode 5 - A Controversial Theory About Gossip

26 mai 2022 - 5/5

Gossip is an integral part of human social structure... and maybe the reason language evolved in the first place!

Épisode 6 - Foreign Words We Need in English

23 juin 2022 - 5/5

English has more words than most other languages, but there are still so many familiar things and experiences that we don't have a word for... but other languages do! Here are some of our faves!

Épisode 7 - Is Bilingualism a Superpower?

28 juillet 2022 - 5/5

There was a time when psychologists thought growing up bilingual was harmful to brain development, but recent studies into bilingual children have turned that idea on its head!

Épisode 8 - The Stories Behind Food Names

25 août 2022 - 5/5

Épisode 9 - Literally No One Likes a Grammar Cop

22 septembre 2022 - 5/5

Besides being annoying, what if the grammar police are actually... wrong?

Épisode 10 - Why Sign Language Was Banned in America

27 octobre 2022 - 5/5

Sign Languages are just as linguistically valid and vibrant as spoken languages, and beneficial to learn for Deaf and hearing people. So why for decades was it illegal to teach them in American schools?

Épisode 1 - How Brands Ruin Slang

26 janvier 2023 - 5/5

Why do brands use slang in their marketing? And why does it sound so... cringey?

Épisode 2 - Is "R" a Vowel?

23 février 2023 - 5/5

We all know that the vowels are A, E, I, O, U and sometimes Y... But the way linguists define vowels may mean R qualifies as well!

Épisode 3 - Where Alcoholic Drinks Got Their Names

23 mars 2023 - 5/5

Alcohol has been with humanity since the dawn of civilization, and we use still use some of the same terms for it! Come with us on an etymological journey through the history of drinking.

Épisode 4 - How English Took Over the World

20 avril 2023 - 5/5

How did English become the most spoken language on the planet, and why are there so many varieties of English?

Épisode 5 - The Weird History of Invented Languages

25 mai 2023 - 5/5

Can you really invent a language? These people sure tried! But does anyone actually speak them?

Épisode 6 - How Queer Communities Created Secret Languages

22 juin 2023 - 5/5

Across the globe, queer communities have relied on secret lexicons known as "argots" to communicate safely, which have developed over the years into what some call "verbal jazz."

Épisode 7 - What Brain Damage Reveals About Language

27 juillet 2023 - 5/5

Some of the first discoveries about the relationship between language and the brain were made by studying patients with brain damage. Of course, before modern technology, the only way you could see the brain was by opening it up.

Épisode 8 - Why Does Texting Feel Different From Talking?

24 août 2023 - 5/5

Your texts might be cool and clever, but you still get tongue-tied when talking to people face-to-face. Why is that? It's all just words, right? Learn the difference between what linguist call synchronous and asynchronous communication.

Épisode 9 - How the Colors Got Their Names

21 septembre 2023 - 5/5

The earliest humans didn't have words for colors... and the way they evolved follow a remarkably similar path across cultures.

Épisode 10 - The Most Extreme Place Names

19 octobre 2023 - 5/5

Place names, known as "toponyms" do more than just help us know where we're supposed to meet up.| They often provide clues that can tell you a lot about a location: its geography, history and the people who lived there.

Épisode 1 - How Language Nerds Solve Crimes

25 janvier 2024 - 5/5

Épisode 2 - Why Do These Words Get Mispronounced So Much?

22 février 2024 - 5/5

There are actually good reasons why people tend to mispronounce the same words... and why they ofTen end up being the new standard!

Épisode 3 - Is the Southern Accent Disappearing?

21 mars 2024 - 5/5

Linguists studying the Southern American Dialect reckon that it ain't what it used to be, y'all. I do declayuh!

Épisode 4 - Why Do We Use Cringey Words for Loved Ones?

25 avril 2024 - 5/5

Épisode 5 - Why Do Baby Names Fall Out of Fashion?

30 mai 2024 - 5/5

Épisode 6 - How Cults Use Language to Control

20 juin 2024 - 5/5

If there's one thing cult leaders do, it's talk. A LOT. Language is an integral part of how cults keep their members bonded, isolated and obedient.

Épisode 7 - What Is Your Body Telling People?

25 juillet 2024 - 5/5

Épisode 8 - Why Is English Awash in Sailors' Jargon?

22 août 2024 - 5/5

Épisode 9 - You Were Probably Taught to Read Wrong

19 septembre 2024 - 5/5