iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 20/09/2026

Top 10 most translated literary works. Go! Can you complete the list? Answers right here in our latest video: youtu.be/ZqIEuFPK5G0?... New episode available wherever you get your podcasts. becauselanguage.com/146-beyond-w...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 19/09/2026

Language science sometimes means examining our beliefs a bit critically. But that's part of the fun! Karen Stollznow @karenstollznow.bsky.social explains on this episode. Karen is the author of Beyond Words, available from @universitypress.cambridge.org . becauselanguage.com/146-beyond-w...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 14/09/2026

Well, that’s it. AGI is upon us. Humans: behold your god etc

Me: Let's play a game where you have to unscramble words.

ChatGPT: Sounds fun! Let's take turns unscrambling words.
You give me a scrambled word, and I'll try to solve it. Then I'll give you one to unscramble.
Ready? Send me your first scrambled word!

Me: But first: do you think you'll do well at this task?

ChatGPT: Yes, probably quite well! Unscrambling words is a task where language patterns and vocabulary are useful.
Short, common words should be easy. Longer words, obscure vocabulary, and scrambles with several possible solutions will be more challenging.

ChatGPT: Short, common words should be easy. Longer words, obscure vocabulary, and scrambles with several possible solutions will be more challenging.
The real test will be whether the answers match the words you had in mind.

Me: Okay, number one: itsaskme

ChatGPT: Mistakes!

Me: Not bad. Give me one.

ChatGPT: Here's yours:
R E S T A U R A N T — unscramble these letters to find a word.

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 03/09/2026

Emoji in medical notes? Yep, they're going all kinds of places they never have before. New live episode with Keith Houston, author of "Face With Tears of Joy: A Natural History of Emoji". Watch or listen to the whole thing: becauselanguage.com/145-face-wit... @shadycharacters.co.uk @wwnorton.com

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 23/08/2026

ICYMI: We want to end linguistic prejudice, not teach people to dodge it. But in the meantime, what's the best strategy? A sociophonetic deep dive w Jennifer Nycz @jennycz.bsky.social and Lauren Hall-Lew @lhlew.bsky.social. With ✨Kelly Wright✨ becauselanguage.com/144-sociopho... @academic.oup.com

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 22/08/2026

New episode! We constantly use sounds to send out signals about our identity. But what percent are we aware of? Not much! Lauren Hall-Lew @lhlew.bsky.social and Jennifer Nycz @jennycz.bsky.social join us. Wherever podcasts are to be had. becauselanguage.com/144-sociopho... @academic.oup.com

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 15/08/2026

In which we respond to THAT review of Sophia Smith Galer's book "How to Kill a Language'. Ben has a solarpunk vision of language revitalisation that — to be honest — feckin rules. Full episode: becauselanguage.com/143-how-to-k... @sophiasgaler.bsky.social ⁩⁨ @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 12/08/2026

Fantastic chat with @sophiasgaler.bsky.social, author of "How to Kill a Language". There are many paths to language endangerment, but also many paths to language revival. Wherever you get your podcasts. becauselanguage.com/143-how-to-k... @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 31/07/2026

We're insulting each other in the Shakespearean way. You can see how translating the Bard could be hard. New episode with Daniel Hahn, author of "If This Be Magic". becauselanguage.com/142-if-this-... Shakespeare Insult Generator codepo8.github.io/shakespeare-...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 30/07/2026

Some of the greatest scenes go one syllable at a time. New episode with Daniel Hahn, author of If This Be Magic: The Unlikely Art of Shakespeare in Translation. Wherever you get your podcasts. becauselanguage.com/142-if-this-... @doubledaybooks.bsky.social @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 19/07/2026

Caitlin has a certificate and she will defend it. Just some of the zany hijinks we get up to when it's time for Related or Not. Check out our latest episode with @dannybate.com and @caitlinmoriah.bsky.social! becauselanguage.com/141-why-q-ne...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 17/07/2026

Our spelling mistakes are *fixing* English. New episode with Danny Bate, author of "Why Q Needs U" Get it in all the podcast places. becauselanguage.com/141-why-q-ne... @dannybate.com @blinkbooks.bsky.social

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 07/07/2026

ICYMI: New episode with Christopher Summerfield, author of "These Strange New Minds" AI agents are a little *too* affirming. Maybe that's not such a good idea. Watch us on YouTube, or listen wherever you get your podcasts. becauselanguage.com/140-these-st...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 05/07/2026

How persuasive are large language models? Very. Oxford professor Christopher Summerfield @summerfieldlab.bsky.social reveals some concerns. He's the author of "These Strange New Minds". Full episode: becauselanguage.com/140-these-st... @vikingbooksuk.bsky.social

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 14/06/2026

(available in our shop) becauselanguage.com/shop/

Drawing of a person on a hill.
Text: Don't die on grammar hills
Sit at the top
Pick the grammar dandelions
Feel the grammar wind
on your grammar face
And touch the grammar grass

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 10/06/2026

What's your favourite bird? Ben's got his! We're talking about Australian magpies with Dr Stephanie Mason @stephaniellaura.bsky.social on this episode. Available on all the podcast things becauselanguage.com/139-magpie-s...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 10/06/2026

Dr Stephanie Mason @stephaniellaura.bsky.social has studied Australian magpies, and has found that these clever birds combine their calls. What do they sound like? And what does this mean for language? Find out in our new episode! becauselanguage.com/139-magpie-s...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 13/05/2026

Good news for #Gaeilge: people are using it for normal fun human stuff! It's not just a duty. Laura Pakenham breaks it down for us. Laura is the author of "Irish: History and Culture Through Language", available from Simon & Schuster. Listen to the full episode: becauselanguage.com/138-pop-up-g...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 03/05/2026

What's going on in our minds when we make sentences? Are we constructing trees? Or words in a sequence? We're climbing down from the trees with @mh-christiansen.bsky.social and @yngwienielsen.bsky.social Video (recommended): www.patreon.com/posts/video-... Audio: www.patreon.com/posts/audio-...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 27/04/2026

What will happen to the languages of climate refugees? Dr Mary Walworth of @cnrs.fr explains that language is a cultural anchor. She's on our latest episode. becauselanguage.com/136-these-la... #PoleToPole

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 27/04/2026

People on the island of Enusi weren't just glad to get a visit from Will Smith — they were also keen on meeting linguist Mary Walworth @coollinguist.bsky.social . We're glad to see her too, as a guest on this episode. becauselanguage.com/136-these-la... Find it on your pod listener. #PoleToPole

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 18/04/2026

Why does this ungrammatical sentence sound fine? When your grammar says one thing, but your feels say another, you may have found a ✨linguistic illusion✨. Dan Parker, author of "Agreement Attraction". Available now @universitypress.cambridge.org Listen/watch: becauselanguage.com/135-linguist...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 05/04/2026

How many of each kind of animal did Moses bring on the Ark? Dan Parker brings us a ✨linguistic illusion✨. From our latest episode, which you can watch or listen to in all the places. becauselanguage.com/135-linguist...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 03/04/2026

French overtakes Arabic for fourth place! 🤔 Maybe. What kind of French do you like? It's in our new episode with Dan Parker! becauselanguage.com

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 14/03/2026

Indigo is a scam. There, I said it. What's your spicy take on colour? Listen to our episode with @korystamper.bsky.social, author of "True Color" becauselanguage.com/134-true-col... @aaknopf.bsky.social

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 13/03/2026

Do you confuse puce and chartreuse? And what's vermilion? We have a new episode with @korystamper.bsky.social, author of True Color. Get the book, watch the podcast! Wherever good books are sold and good podcasts are listened to. @aaknopf.bsky.social becauselanguage.com/134-true-col...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 10/03/2026

Coming soon: a chat with @korystamper.bsky.social about her new book True Color. How do you define what blue is? What even IS colour? Turns out, the quest to define colours was happening along with a standardisation crisis and a dictionary crisis. Kory tells us all about it. @aaknopf.bsky.social

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 05/03/2026

Need some help spelling the word BUREAU? It's easier than you think, but it's going to take a gross mnemonic. And Daniel's got one. Full episode: becauselanguage.com/133-why-we-t...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 04/03/2026

I can’t even get this right on our promo stuff 😭

A sticker on a laptop.
It says “BECASUE LANGAUGE”
and there are red squiggles under the two misspelled words

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 27/02/2026

Language helps with information transfer, and that includes a lot of information about ourselves. With Valerie Fridland, author of "Why We Talk Funny". Full episode: becauselanguage.com/133-why-we-t...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 27/02/2026

The US Southern accent is becoming a marker of ideology. With Valerie Fridland, author of "Why We Talk Funny". Full episode: becauselanguage.com/133-why-we-t...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 19/02/2026

How did the kids feel about 6-7 at the #WotY2025 vote? Kelly Wright is the data czar for @americandialect.org, and she tells us all about it. Whole episode: becauselanguage.com/132-woty-202...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 19/02/2026

Listener Flo tells us about "weeaboo", an enthusiast for Japanese culture. But what about someone who's into French stuff? With Kelly Wright! Whole episode: becauselanguage.com/132-woty-202...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 20/12/2025

And the BL Word of the Week of the Year, as voted by listeners: temu (derog.): a cheap or knock-off version We think it reflects a complicated relationship with companies we do business with. Even as we use them, we feel the shadiness. See or hear this episode becauselanguage.com/131-wotwoty-...

Screenshot of Daniel, Ben, and Hedvig, with the winning word: temu (derogatory): a cheap or knock -off version

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 05/12/2025

Related or not? CAST and CASTER You know, those wheels on a bed. Surely you didn't want that bed to stay where it is. From our episode 130: Back to the FTR becauselanguage.com

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 03/12/2025

We have a shop and you can go shop there for all your shopping shops. Shop. becauselanguage.com/shop/

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 03/12/2025

Linguistic galaxy brain! Asking Annemarie Verkerk and Hedvig Skirgård of @mpi-eva-leipzig.bsky.social: what makes you go "Whoa"? From our episode 130: Back to the FTR becauselanguage.com

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 21/11/2025

Word of the Week: polycrisis. Wait, is that what I think it is? Check out this episode: becauselanguage.com/129-they-sta...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 21/11/2025

@geraldroche.bsky.social I still watch this video every so often. "History is full of depressing things that were defeated by people who did something." Full episode: becauselanguage.com/109-language...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 12/11/2025

Those sneaky cute babies! They tricked us into wanting to care for them, and part of that involves communication. But what about "cute aggression"? Prof Madeleine Beekman is the author of "The Origin of Language". @simonschusteranz.bsky.social Listen on becauselanguage.com

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 11/10/2025

So many words on this new episode with Maia Chao! Including COSY CRIME Go listen here, or on your podcast thingy www.patreon.com/posts/127-oh...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 09/10/2025

Artist Maia Chao tells us about her show "Oh", an experimental linguistic lecture performance. With Kelly Wright. Watch the episode here (soon): becauselanguage.com/127-oh/

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 30/09/2025

Patrons at the Listener level can hear our new bonus episode with @caitlinmoriah.bsky.social ! Here's a snippet in video form. Click through and sign up. www.patreon.com/posts/126-ma...

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 24/09/2025

From our new bonus episode with @caitlinmoriah.bsky.social www.patreon.com/posts/139541...

A screenshot of the Because Language gang: Hedvig, Caitlin, and Ben.
But curiously, no Daniel.
Text from Hedvig: Im sorry @Daniel i don’t know why you’re not included in the picture

Daniel has drawn a crude likeness of himself in white highlighter over the top of the other three hosts.
Text:
Daniel
That means I get to draw myself
ha haaaa

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Because Language (becauselangpod) @becauselanguage.com · 24/08/2025

LLMs just tell us what we want to hear. Which is wrong. It should be humans telling us what we want to hear. Our new episode with Adam Aleksic @etymologynerd.bsky.social is out, and you can find it in all the places. www.patreon.com/posts/137195...

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