How do you feel about poetic licenses, lax grammar, and invented words? Is language a living organism, constantly evolving, or should a strictly standardized version be enforced? Here's what Romanian-French philosopher E. M. Cioran thinks: "A dead language (...) is a language in which you don't have the right to make mistakes. Which means that … Continue reading Mistake or Linguistic Innovation?
Category: Written Communication
How Do We Make Sense of Things? The Language Connection
As award-winning blogger Maria Popova once said, "We can never see the world as it really is". And that's because, on the one hand, we are part of the very system we are trying to describe, and on the other because the things we perceive make little or no sense to us until we plot … Continue reading How Do We Make Sense of Things? The Language Connection
Need to Communicate Change? 5 Key Ingredients To Consider
In our lives, change is inevitable. It's always on the prowl, in the background, hiding behind an illusion of stability and safety. When 'black swan' events such as the Covid-19 crisis occur, companies are forced to implement changes to their work environments and their business model at the drop of a hat. But how to … Continue reading Need to Communicate Change? 5 Key Ingredients To Consider
Subtleties of Romanian: The Not-so-solemn Distinction Between “Mantuire” and “Mantuiala”
The other day I saw an ad for a subtitling job. It was in one of my language combinations, (English into Romanian), and it was for religious content. As I have successfully translated religious and philosophical essays before, I felt it was right up my alley and decided to apply. While waiting to receive additional … Continue reading Subtleties of Romanian: The Not-so-solemn Distinction Between “Mantuire” and “Mantuiala”
Genderlect: Why Is It Important?
Good question. But what is genderlect, anyway? Linguists use this blending of gender and dialect to describe how language use differs between men and women (and also to sound cool). Do men and women use language differently? A large body of research shows that yes, indeed they do. With the advancement of gender equality, these … Continue reading Genderlect: Why Is It Important?
Skincare Words 101: The Tricky Difference Between ‘Alina’ and ‘Alinta’ in Romanian
Nowhere is aspirational writing more at home than in the fashion and cosmetics industries. Lotions and moisturizers, dresses and accessories will do all sorts of exquisite things to your skin and figure: they hydrate and cleanse, revitalize and smooth, fortify and enliven. They can flatter your silhouette, highlight your natural curves and make you shine. … Continue reading Skincare Words 101: The Tricky Difference Between ‘Alina’ and ‘Alinta’ in Romanian
Food Words 101: Garen, Gären, (Er)nähren, Gaumenfreude und Genuss
How do you feel about cooking? Love it? Loathe it? Personally, I am not a major fan, but the coronavirus lockdowns have turned us all into hobby chefs. Out of boredom (or dire need), we have picked up those cookbooks or browsed the net in search of something truly yummy (and not too difficult to … Continue reading Food Words 101: Garen, Gären, (Er)nähren, Gaumenfreude und Genuss
How to Tell a Good Brand Story
Storytelling is central to marketing - and it's the main way we make sense of the world. Here are a few tips for putting words to work and crafting compelling narratives. Nowadays brands - like people - have personalities. They become friends, companions and - occasionally - bogeymen. Marketing is a bit like matchmaking, followed by … Continue reading How to Tell a Good Brand Story
Language and Deception: Distortion and Socially Constructed Reality
Motto: "What's in a name? That which we call a roseBy any other name will smell as sweet."William Shakespeare - Romeo and Juliet Over the weekend, a couple of my friends have watched Michael Moore's latest documentary, Planet of the Humans. The one aspect that caused the most bewilderment among them seems to be the … Continue reading Language and Deception: Distortion and Socially Constructed Reality
What My Kids Have Taught Me About Engagement
Are you also juggling job, homeschooling of children, creative projects, and research? Are your kids constantly coming to you for advice/support/validation/reassurance even though your spouse is also available? And does that drive you mad? Then you can relate. Now, I've racked my brain trying to understand this, until it hit me. It's a communication and … Continue reading What My Kids Have Taught Me About Engagement