Episodes

  • Celtic Pathways – Tan Oaks

    Celtic Pathways – Tan Oaks
    Nov 23 2024
    In this episode we discover the possible Celtic roots of words such as tan, tannin and Tannenbaum. The Proto-Celtic word *tannos means green oak, and comes from Proto-Indo-European *(s)dʰnwos/*(s)dʰonu (fir). Related words in the Celtic languages include: tinne = the letter t in the Ogham alphabet (ᚈ) in Irish tinne [tʲenə] = the letter t […]
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    2 mins
  • Omniglot News (17/11/24)

    Omniglot News (17/11/24)
    Nov 17 2024
    Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Terik (Tɛ́ɛrık), a Southern Nilotic language spoken in western Kenya. Nandi (Naanti), a Southern Nilotic language spoken in the Rift Valley Province in western Kenya. Kipsigis (Kıpsıkııs), a Southern Nilotic language spoken in the Rift Valley Province in the southwest of Kenya. Ngoni […]
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    2 mins
  • Adventures in Etymology – Monitoring Monsters

    Adventures in Etymology – Monitoring Monsters
    Nov 16 2024
    In this Adventure in Etymology, we’re finding connections between monitors and monsters. A monitor [ˈmɒn.ɪ.tə/ˈmɔn.ɪ.tɚ] is: Someone who watches over something; a person in charge of something or someone. A device that detects and informs on the presence, quantity, etc., of something. A device used to give a graphical display of the output from a […]
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    2 mins
  • Omniglot News (10/11/24)

    Omniglot News (10/11/24)
    Nov 10 2024
    Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New writing system: Novo Tupi, an alphabet created in the early 19th century as a way to write Old Tupi, a language that was spoken by the Tupi people in Brazil until about the 19th century, and which developed into Nheengatu. New adapted script: Finnish Tengwar […]
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    2 mins
  • Celtic Pathways – Grinding Pebbles

    Celtic Pathways – Grinding Pebbles
    Nov 9 2024
    In this episode of the Celtic Pathways podcast, we discover the possible Celtic roots of words for gravel in English and other languages. Gravel [ˈɡɹævəl] is small fragments of rock, used for laying on the beds of roads and railways, and as ballast, and other things (other meanings are available). It comes from Middle English […]
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    2 mins
  • Omniglot News (03/11/24)

    Omniglot News (03/11/24)
    Nov 3 2024
    Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Central ǃKung (ǃXun), a Kxʼa language spoken in northern Namibia. Ik (Icétôd), a Kuliak language spoken in Karamoja in the Northern region of Uganda. Markwet (Markweta), a Southern Nilotic language spoken in Elgeyo-Marakwet County in western Kenya. Sudanese Arabic (لهجة سودانية), a variety […]
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    4 mins
  • Adventures in Etymology – Weaving Text

    Adventures in Etymology – Weaving Text
    Nov 2 2024
    In this Adventure in Etymology, we unweave the origins of the word text. A text [tɛkst] is: A writing consisting of multiple glyphs, characters, symbols or sentences. A book, tome or other set of writings. A brief written message transmitted between mobile phones. (other meanings are available) It comes from Middle English text, from Old […]
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    2 mins
  • Omniglot News (27/10/24)

    Omniglot News (27/10/24)
    Oct 27 2024
    Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Kwasengen (Hanga Hundi), a Sepik language spoken in East Sepik Province in the northwest of Papua New Guinea. Dirasha (D’iraassh), a Lowland East Cushitic language spoken in southwestern Ethiopia. Saho (Saahot Af), a Lowland East Cushitic language spoken mainly in Eritrea and Ethiopia. […]
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    2 mins