58 episodes
Lexicon Valley from Booksmart Studios Lexicon Valley
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- Society & Culture
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4.8 • 480 Ratings
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A podcast about language, with host John McWhorter.
lexiconvalley.substack.com
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Come Under Scrutiny
What does the bat in “acrobat” have to do with the word come? John explains.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lexiconvalley.substack.com/subscribe -
Have Your Own Damn Self a Merry Little Christmas
Reflexive pronouns are redundant in a way, sure, but they’re also quite common in many languages. John explains.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lexiconvalley.substack.com/subscribe -
When Did People Start Talking?
There’s good reason to believe that sophisticated speech began long before homo sapiens hit the scene. John explains.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lexiconvalley.substack.com/subscribe -
Who's Afraid of Ayesha Rascoe?
Does Ayesha Rascoe have a good radio voice? Not according to many NPR listeners, who find her loud, high-pitched and generally grating. John explains.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lexiconvalley.substack.com/subscribe -
What Is Miami English?
A recent study suggests that a new dialect is emerging in the southern part of Florida. John explains.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lexiconvalley.substack.com/subscribe -
Report of the Trial of Levi Weeks
The trial transcript of a 225-year-old murder is filled with fascinating evidence of the way we used to talk. John explains.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lexiconvalley.substack.com/subscribe
Customer Reviews
Entertaining and informative
John McWorter is one of those rare professors who is a world expert in his field, knows how to combine wit with specialist knowledge, and has a pleasant voice to listen to. I recommend this podcast to anyone with even a vague interest in language(s).
Loved his books, love this podcast
I have loved John McWhorter’s books and am sad that I have only JUST learned about this podcast…but I relish being able to go back through its archives! Prof. McWhorter makes his subject such a joy to learn about, and his broad breadth of knowledge about so MANY languages gives the listener such a wide base to learn from. Thank you, Professor! Your podcast is a joyful speck in my day.
Update: every episode I’ve listened to so far is great and makes me laugh.
Perspective-enlarging and FUN
Love your voice, John!