Language Log
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Hindi might not be the national language – but it is growing rapidly across India
This would explain the recent anxieties around Hindi imposition.
Shoaib Daniyal
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An American teacher’s online Malayalam lessons have won her a following even in Kerala
EliKutty, or Eliza Keyton, has brought a fun perspective to learning a language.
Vandana Menon
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Why is India obsessed with English-medium education – when it goes against scientific consensus?
Several empirical studies support what the New Education Policy is proposing about education in the mother tongue early on, adding English later.
Shoaib Daniyal
Trending
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‘Please don’t follow me now’: Actor Rhea Chakraborty asks paparazzi when spotted in Mumbai
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It isn’t just an Amazon web series under fire from Hindutva groups – the real tandav is yet to come
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Why has the Adani group singled out journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta?
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Once considered India’s answer to WhatsApp, Hike Messenger has shut down
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Nine Tests against India will be fantastic, our players are excited: England coach Chris Silverwood
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How a Bihari lost her mother tongue to Hindi – but is now trying to get it back
I tried to expel Angika from my life. But it, thankfully, wouldn’t leave me.
Archana Singh
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We’re on ‘coronacation’ while we wait for ‘lexit’: How coronavirus is changing our language
A ‘covidiot’ is someone who ignores public health advice. ‘Zoombombing’ is intrusion into a video call.
Kate Burridge and Howard Manns, The Conversation
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A limited vocabulary hinders your ability to express emotions – and to understand them
Sometimes, it’s even used as a tool for social control.
Kaidi Wu, Aeon
Video
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Watch: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spent inauguration day at a protest in the Bronx, New York
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Watch: Hilarious compilation of Donald Trump saying ‘bye-bye’
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Watch: Explosion in Madrid, capital of Spain, destroys building, kills at least three people
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Watch: Comic José Covaco’s hilarious interpretation of ‘private chat’ with Navika Kumar
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Watch: US Police dog receives a hero’s welcome upon return after multiple surgeries
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Philip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’: How to decode the story’s linguistic secrets
Pullman achieves an eerie blend of familiarity and strangeness through his use of language.
Simon Horobin, The Conversation
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Want to build a language from scratch? Start with the question who will speak it, and why
It’s impossible to invent a perfect language. But Klingon from ‘Star Trek’ and Na’vi from ‘Avatar’ have shown how context makes all the difference.
Bettina Beinhoff, The Conversation
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Twitter is helping the ancient Scots language thrive (and garner attention)
The platform has provided a forum for the written Scots language to evolve in a way that wasn’t possible before the advent of social media.
E Jamieson and Sadie Ryan, The Conversation
The Reel
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‘Kuruthi Kalam’ trailer: A police officer is caught between rival gangs in Chennai
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It isn’t just an Amazon web series under fire from Hindutva groups – the real tandav is yet to come
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‘Gandii Baat’ trailer: AltBalaji erotic thriller series is now into season six
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‘The Legend of Hanuman’ trailer: Animated series features the voice of Sharad Kelkar
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‘Mission Frontline’ trailer: Rana Daggubati anchors a tribute to the Border Security Force
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The haleem debate: Why some Indian Muslims are renaming the Ramzan delicacy ‘daleem’
The new social media-driven Indian Muslim has suddenly realised that ‘haleem’ is a name for God. What does that say about religion in a hyperconnected age?
Shoaib Daniyal
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Shaheed and martyr are religious terms. Should they be used for Indian soldiers killed in battle?
Both words have very specific meanings in Islamic and Christian history.
Shoaib Daniyal
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No Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan? Implemented fully, BJP’s Hindutva renaming will wipe out a lot of India
Earlier attempts to erase the lexical traces of India’s syncretic culture have been made – with little success.
Shoaib Daniyal
The Field
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IPL 2021: Rajasthan Royals trade Robin Uthappa to Chennai Super Kings in all-cash deal
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ISL: ATK Mohun Bagan edge past Chennaiyin FC thanks to David Williams’ stoppage-time winner
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s 760th career goal reignites debate about football’s all-time goalscoring record
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Watch: The longest goal in football history – scored by Newport County’s Tom King
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Football: Why fans of long-suffering clubs have better social ties than successful teams’ supporters