Etiquette & Languages

The English language is challenging due to complicated grammar, inconsistent sentence structure and colloquial idioms that it doesn't share with related languages. However, English is a target language that sees significantly more resources and opportunities for immersion than many other languages.

By Karina Ryan

Languages exist as ever-evolving systems of human communication that go beyond complex grammar or words you could learn from a quick search on Google Translate. Language consists of body language, social cues and mother tongue idioms that are shaped by culture and context. That said, how many languages are there in our vast world?

By Karina Ryan

Many people struggle with learning the English language because there are so many nuanced spellings and usages for different words that don't conform to logical patterns. The hardest words to spell don't always have to be the longest but often contain minor differences from common speech patterns.

By Mitch Ryan

The letter "ñ" is Latin small letter (aka lowercase letter) found in Spanish words. A tilde (the squiggly line over the letter) distinguishes "ñ" from "n" and gives it different pronunciation. For instance, in Spanish, "ano" is pronounced "ah-no" and "año" is pronounced "ahn-yo." And for the record, these two words have very different meanings as well.

By Mitch Ryan

What is the easiest language to learn as a second language? The answer will vary depending on your native language. Learning a new language can open up opportunities, from connecting with people in your community or embracing your own culture to being able to live and work abroad.

By Karina Ryan

Like English, Spanish is a global language with nearly 600 million Spanish speakers worldwide. There are many Spanish-speaking countries, from the 21 nations with Spanish as their official language, to other countries with significant populations of people who speak Spanish as their native language or as a second language.

By Karina Ryan

You may have noticed people sometimes interchange grey and gray, leading to confusion about which spelling is the correct one. But when it comes to using the word grey vs. gray, which one you choose comes down to your location and the specific person, place or thing you're referencing.

By Marie Look

Many struggle over what to say when someone dies. Comforting a loved one during a difficult time can be hard, especially if you can't express your condolences in person. Here are our suggestions.

By Alia Hoyt

English may be the most spoken language in the world, but it wasn't always. So who started speaking it first?

By Ad Putter

Social media platforms use algorithms to flag and remove problematic material. "Algospeak" is the workaround and it's broadly influencing everyday language.

By Roger J. Kreuz

Ever wondered why the first month of the year is called January? Or why September comes from the Latin word for seven when it's the ninth month? Here's how each month got its name.

By Carrie Tatro

Henry Louis Gates Jr. will serve as editor-in-chief of the new Oxford Dictionary of African American English, which is slated to be published in spring 2025.

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

In recent years, the word "demisexual" was added to dictionaries, while "aerodrome" was dropped. But just who is making these lexicographical decisions?

By Laurie L. Dove

Victorian etiquette wasn't just about sending a thank you note or holding a door open. There were a jillion rules of propriety to observe. How many of these do you know?

By Alia Hoyt

In this age of electronic communication, the art of letter writing has all but been lost, but the knowledge necessary to address an envelope is something we all should certainly possess.

By Francisco Guzman & Talon Homer

At-thay epends-day on-way at-whay ou-yay ean-may y-bay eal-ray.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

You know that time in summer when everything slows down and not much is going on? The German word sommerloch neatly sums it up. But where did it come from?

By Dave Roos

The majority of Native Americans speak the English language, so how many Native American languages are still in existence and being spoken today? It's a complicated question.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

Sign language interpreters provide critical lifelines to the deaf community, especially during crises. So who exactly are these superhero signers?

By Stephanie Vermillion

Xenophobia, or the fear of immigrants and strangers, has a long, unsettling history in the U.S. and across the globe. What makes this prejudice so prominent during hard times throughout history?

By John Donovan

And it's expressions like 'fake news' (instead of information fallacieuse) and 'cool! that are to blame.

By AFP

The two terms are often used interchangeably, though they have distinct meanings. We'll explain how they're different.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

Our daily language is often geared for a world that recognizes people as either male or female. But with our growing recognition that not everyone falls into these categories, how can we speak more gender-inclusively?

By Danielle Douez

Over the holidays, lots of gift-giving will be going on. But some people get anxious about opening a gift in front of the giver in case they don't like it and can't fake enough enthusiasm.

By Alia Hoyt

How did this natural tic become the signal for so many social expressions?

By Michelle Konstantinovsky