As with all countries, large OR small, there are going to be variations in dialect and pronunciation. Given its size and history, one would expect the US to have some pretty fantastic ones. And it does! PhD (Statistics) student Joshua Katz hasjust published a fantastic set of data visualisations from a linguistic survey of how […]
language
TOSP Episode 14: December 12th 2011
[Original post on the Sciblogs The Official Sciblogs Podcast site] This week’s a little special. In addition to aimee and Elf discussing how our brains process syntax and vocabulary (differently, it turns out!), the biggest black holes yet discovered and a 17 year old who’s made huge strides in the fight against cancer, Elf also […]
elsif
During an email conversation with friend, the following happened. Related as it ocurred. Friend shall be referred to as ‘x’ x: /winks aimee: depending on wink: /looks scared ; /yet more deadpan ; /eye twitches ; /runs screaming x: Sorry I will have to resort to coding, either that or I have to deal with with parallel universes.Which […]
Sciencey goodness Pt I
Sometimes I am able to write posts on Friday. Sometimes not. At least part of the reason for this is that I spend my Thursday afternoons and Fridays (or at least parts thereof) research for and writing the SMC weekly newsletter. Which is awesome. And you should sign up! Why? Because it’s well interesting, of […]
Word battles, Pt I
[originally penned 27 May, 2010] I have friends, treasured friends, who are willing, able and indeed happy to play word games with me. In some cases, these have turned into epic battles, with the fortunes of both sides waxing and waning with the phases of the moon, other solar system celestial bodies and, frankly, who’s […]
Prove your wordpower
Ah, brevity. [Insert tedious piece of waffling prose extolling its virtues] But seriously, I came across a fantastic little site today. Called the Ten Word Wiki, it is precisely that. No more than ten words to describe any given topic. I did some typing, and have given a couple of the topical words for which […]