Language of the Month

Growing up, many of our American readers learned about the first Thanksgiving in elementary school. While we learned varying accounts, with a varying accuracy, depending on what generation we are, most of us were made familiar with Squanto, the first “Indian” to make contact with the Pilgrims of the Mayflower. We now know more of […]

As someone who frequently consumes news about languages and language learning, it’s always interesting to see what language will suddenly be put to the forefront of the public conscience, either because of its direct use, such as Kamala Harris casually using Tamil words in campaign speeches, or indirectly by bringing a country or people to

Late last month, Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris (D-CA) was a minor sensation in India for her use of the word “chithis,” or auntie. Harris, who has visited Chenani, a town in the Indian Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, before to learn more about her mother’s side of her family, with her father’s side

We are extremely fortunate to be “based” out of Maryland as a Museum, as we always have a wide variety of voices and languages surrounding us every day. Recently, we had a linguist, Dr. Chelsea McCracken, reach out to us, and through her connection I learned about a wonderful language named Belep.  While the word

Due to the various government mandates, and several cancelled travel plans, I have taken time this summer to explore our great nation, and its even greater outdoors. From the Shenandoah Valley to the Great Smoky Mountains, there is plenty of beauty to explore without even needing a passport. One of my many adventures has been

At the Museum, we respect those from backgrounds, races, and cultures all over the globe. Recent events have shown that the American ideals of liberty and justice for all have not yet been fully achieved.  We are sharing this message to show our support for the massive movement for justice and equality that these events

Since stay-at-home orders began, we have seen many advertisements saying that we are “all in this together.” I have personally seen this in several different languages, and it made me realize there have actually been a few attempts to bring all together linguistically. This month, we will be exploring Esperanto, probably the most popular attempt

     One of the biggest challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic has been disseminating the information regarding social distancing and other health and safety information. It can be difficult to provide this information to everyone even in the lingua franca of an area, and while many areas around the world are providing this information in

     Earlier in March, before the massive shutdowns and shelters in place, I was afforded a weekend getaway to Minneapolis. While I was mostly there for a music convention, of course my linguist eye and ear was out to see and hear what was around me. When one thinks of Minnesota and the Midwest

     As you saw in our article earlier this month, Icelandic is in danger of facing a “digital extinction.” However, just because the language is in danger by no means implies that there is not a beauty and richness to discover.       Spoken by around 350,000 worldwide, including 300,000 in Iceland itself and