The study of linguistics is frequently about language in its most theoretical form. Syntax and morphology focus on the form of words and language; semantics are about meaning. However, none of these fields exist in a vacuum. In fact, linguistics as a whole tries to observe and understand language in a social context—as the central…
Saturday: a notepad sat on my desk. The paper’s slick surface reflected a curious yellow hue from a lamp. A clear resin pen, filled halfway with a dark grey ink, lay atop the notepad, a conspicuous accessory. I was up late at night, but the late-night writing did little to help with my insomnia. Rather,…
A daily dose of words for the soul.
With exams just around the corner, I figured what better way to prepare for exam season then by extending some of the tips and tricks I’ve learned from my AP English class! These guidelines have really boosted my performance in English, and I came to the conclusion that others would benefit too. Therefore, If you…
We all have those days when it seems that the whole universe is making sure that not a single thing goes our ways. It can start from the very moment you open your eyes in the morning. Your alarm doesn’t go off and you have fifteen minutes to get ready and run to the bus…
I was raised in a conservative home, with high expectations and little room for error. Although I rarely did what I was told, I forged a somewhat approvable path of relative achievement. I respected myself and despite my short dress phase, mostly my clothing reflected the seriousness to which I approached life. I began experimenting…
(Source) What is the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows? John Koenig is the creator of the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, a project to fill in gaps in our language by inventing hundreds of original words to describe human emotions. What is the word for the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid…
Every once in a while it’s important to freeze for a moment and take a good look at the world around us. This poem stemmed from the ever theoretical question, ‘how can we explain something to someone who has no knowledge of it?’ Explaining red to a blind man is the common paradox. Explaining something…
With exams coming up, everyone is stressed. So voila! I present to you a list of 10 cool Japanese words that you could read as a break from your studies. Wabi-sabi n. beauty found in the imperfections; an acceptance of the cycle of life and death. Tsundoku n. a…
While some people may be boy-crazy or food-crazy or book-crazy, we all know I’m quote-crazy. So here’s a list of some inspirational quotes from my two favourite spoken word poets Sarah Kay and Shane Koyczan. “Our lives will only ever always continue to be a balancing act, that has less to do with pain and more…
I’m on spring break still, and that’s awesome, but after a while, staying at home gets, well, boring… especially when you just got your wisdom teeth out and can’t do much! However, I had to make a gift for someone, and that’s when I got un-bored. On a recent vacation, I had seen some frames…
Studying for the SAT? Well here’s a comprehensive list of paramount vocabulary to proliferate your SAT erudition. Have fun! Loquacius (adj) – very talkative Acumen (noun) – shrewdness Disseminate (verb) – to scatter widely Perspicacious (adj) – shrewd; clear-sighted Abstruse (adj) – difficult to understand Callous (adj) – unfeeling Reticent (adj) – inclined to keep silent; reserved Castigate (verb) –…
I recently returned from a trip to China and don’t get me wrong, it was pretty great. But along the way, I was hoping to keep in touch with the Western world and my friends, but nah, that didn’t really happen. Want to know why? Because China bans that stuff. It wasn’t until I reached…
Or so says Stephen Fry, the voice behind Little Big Planet (among other things), in this beautiful video showcasing an eloquent use of speech, bashing those who nit-pick language. Do misplaced apostrophes make you mad? This might be good for you. Do you love to talk? This will be good for you too. [youtube J7E-aoXLZGY] One of…