Rampant incorrect use of hyphens is contributing in its small way to the dulling of English-language literacy.
Read More »Language Matters
When Words Hurt: Bullying and Thirteen Reasons Why
Programs like 'Thirteen Reasons Why' demonstrate the potential consequences of bullying. Looking to the media is often a good way to demonstrate how adults bully and why this is shameful, unacceptable behavior.
Read More »Language Matters in Life and Business: My Last and Final Column About Redundancy
Every walkway is a "pedestrian walkway." Redundancy should be used sparingly, and only when it contributes to rhetorical effect or provides necessary emphasis.
Read More »Language Matters in Life and Business: The Tyranny of Gibberish
While Donald Trump may be an avatar of civilization's decline, it has already been proceeding quite nicely without him. A Roman Trump might well have said "Veni, vidi, vici," in just those words – building his strength on citizens' ignorance.
Read More »Language Matters: Rescuing Dying Languages
Money and genius grants can't revive the hundreds of languages native to the Americas that have died out over the last few centuries.
Read More »Language Matters: Manning Up for Women
"Man up." What a curious phrase to use in the context of a wave of accusations of sexual harassment and assault.
Read More »Language Matters: Study Finds Sound and Meaning More Closely Tied Than We Thought
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. But "any other name" just might not do.
Read More »Language Matters: Trump and the Times – Calling a Lie a Lie
Those who respect the New York Times's journalistic integrity will do so even more if it begins to include among "all the news that's fit to print" calling out the lies, even the petty ones, told to the American people by those who aspire to lead them.
Read More »Don’t Be a Hater: Hate Groups and Hate Crimes After 9/11 and Ferguson
"Hate" is an old word, going all the way back to Anglo-Saxon (Old English). "Hate group" and "hate crime" sharply narrow the meaning of the word.
Read More »Language Matters: Melania Trump and Plagiarism in Politics
To paraphrase an old campaign slogan of that other famous Clinton: "It's credibility, stupid."
Read More »