Go offline with the Player FM app!
What dictionary labels tell us about words. Why we say 'mama'. DU, STU, and LO.
Manage episode 480862160 series 1968341
1079. Ever wonder what labels like "informal," "archaic," or "offensive" mean in a dictionary entry? We explain how different dictionaries use labels to describe when, where, and how to use words. Then, we explore why so many babies say "dada" first and why babies say "mama" almost everywhere.
The "dictionary labels" segment was written by Susan Herman, a retired U.S. government multidisciplined language analyst, analytic editor, and instructor.
The "mama" segment was written by Valerie Fridland, a professor of linguistics at the University of Nevada in Reno and the author of "Like Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English." You can find her at valeriefridland.com.
NEW: Sign up for my AP Style webinar on June 12: bit.ly/4k1XmpI
Use the code MACMIL for $50 off.
๐ Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.
๐ Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.
๐ Subscribe to the newsletter.
๐ Take our advertising survey.
๐ Get the edited transcript.
๐ Get Grammar Girl books.
๐ Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference.
| HOST: Mignon Fogarty
| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).
| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.
- Audio Engineer: Dan Feierabend
- Director of Podcast: Brannan Goetschius
- Advertising Operations Specialist: Morgan Christianson
- Digital Operations Specialist: Holly Hutchings
- Marketing and Video: Nat Hoopes
| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.
| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.
928 episodes
Manage episode 480862160 series 1968341
1079. Ever wonder what labels like "informal," "archaic," or "offensive" mean in a dictionary entry? We explain how different dictionaries use labels to describe when, where, and how to use words. Then, we explore why so many babies say "dada" first and why babies say "mama" almost everywhere.
The "dictionary labels" segment was written by Susan Herman, a retired U.S. government multidisciplined language analyst, analytic editor, and instructor.
The "mama" segment was written by Valerie Fridland, a professor of linguistics at the University of Nevada in Reno and the author of "Like Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English." You can find her at valeriefridland.com.
NEW: Sign up for my AP Style webinar on June 12: bit.ly/4k1XmpI
Use the code MACMIL for $50 off.
๐ Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.
๐ Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.
๐ Subscribe to the newsletter.
๐ Take our advertising survey.
๐ Get the edited transcript.
๐ Get Grammar Girl books.
๐ Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference.
| HOST: Mignon Fogarty
| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).
| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.
- Audio Engineer: Dan Feierabend
- Director of Podcast: Brannan Goetschius
- Advertising Operations Specialist: Morgan Christianson
- Digital Operations Specialist: Holly Hutchings
- Marketing and Video: Nat Hoopes
| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.
| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.
928 episodes
All episodes
×Welcome to Player FM!
Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.