Focus
Interviews on global affairs and daily life
Monday thru Friday, 10 am to noon on WILL-AM 580
Interview Archives: Language and Linguistics
Tuesday January 24, 2012, 11:06 AM
Babel No More: The Search for the World's Most Extraordinary Language Leaners
Michael Erard, Ph.D., Senior Researcher, The Frameworks Institute; Linguist; Author, Journalist, and Editor
Host: David Inge
Almost everyone learns at least one language as a child. Some may learn two or three. But through history there have been accounts of “super learners.” For example, Giuseppe Mezzofanti, a 19th century Italian priest, was said to speak 72 languages. Could such a feat have been possible? Is there someone alive today who could match it? Michael Erard tells the story of his search for the world’s most extraordinary language learners, the subject of his book "Babel No More."
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Categories: Cultural Studies • Language and Linguistics
Friday January 20, 2012, 11:06 AM
The English Language
Dennis Baron, Ph.D., Professor of English and Linguistics, Department of English, University of Illinois
Host: David Inge
Dennis Baron will join us for another conversation about language. He is a professor of English at the University of Illinois and when he stops be we talk about the way that the English language continues to change in spite of its resistance to deliberate reform. You are invited to call with questions about grammar, and of course, complaints about misuse of the language are always welcome.
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Categories: Language and Linguistics
Monday September 19, 2011, 10:06 AM
The Secret Life of Pronouns: What Our Words Say About Us
James Pennebaker, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, University of Texas
Host: Carol Spindel
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Categories: Language and Linguistics
Wednesday May 04, 2011, 11:06 AM
Dreaming in Chinese: Mandarin, Lessons in Life, Love, and Language
Deborah Fallows, Ph.D., Journalist
Host: David Inge
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Categories: Cultural Studies • Language and Linguistics • Asia • China
Thursday January 20, 2011, 10:06 AM
The English Language
Dennis Baron, Ph.D., Professor of English, English Department, University of Illinois
Host: David Inge
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Categories: Language and Linguistics
Thursday October 28, 2010, 10:06 AM
Language Acquistion and Language Disorders in Children
Mary Ann Romski, Ph.D., Associate Dean, Social and Behavioral Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences; Regents Professor, Department of Communication, Georgia State University
Host: David Inge
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Categories: Behavior • Language and Linguistics
Wednesday September 22, 2010, 10:06 AM
Endings (and Middles!) (the study of Latin)
B. Kay Neal, Book Author
Host: Robin Kaler
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Categories: Language and Linguistics
Friday October 09, 2009, 11:06 AM
A Better Pencil: Readers, Writers, and the Digital Revolution
Dennis Baron, Ph.D., Professor of English and Linguistics, University of Illinois
Host: David Inge
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Categories: Language and Linguistics
Friday August 14, 2009, 11:06 AM
The Years of Talking Dangerously
Geoffrey Nunberg, Ph.D., Adjunct Full Professor, School of Information, University of California, Berkeley; Senior Researcher, Center for the Study of Language and Information and Consulting Full Professor of Linguistics, Stanford University
Host: David Inge
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Categories: English Language • Language and Linguistics • Politics
Tuesday October 07, 2008, 11:06 AM
"World Englishes in the Global Context"
Kingsley R. Bolton, Ph.D., Professor of English Linguistics at Stockholm University
Yamuna Kachru, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Linguistics at the University of Illinois
Host: David Inge
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Categories: Language and Linguistics
