Lexicographer Erin McKean writes in Boston.com that English and any other language is designed to be upgraded constantly, and an inalienable right of speaking is inventing and using new words. Where would we be without it?
Category: Language
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Need a translator? Phone it in.
Jajah, an Internet telecommunications company, and IBM have teamed up to create a service that allows anyone to use a phone to translate between Chinese and English. For free (well, the price of the phone call, unless you use Jajah, or its competitor, Skype, for free). It works in reverse, too.
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Speaking abilities evolved from fish
It seems the ability to speak started evolving from fish. The rudimentary capabilities of neurons and brain structure indicate this. Read a LiveScience article, and the Cornell University publication about Professor Andrew Bass that is heading up the team in this research.
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The Future of Literature
Penguin Books has commissioned 6 authors to tell 6 digital stories, one each week, for 6 weeks. The last one, and I think what is going to be the best one, is coming up on April 22. This is the future of literature, where a linear paper-based model is no longer applicable to the way people think (or at least the way young people think).
Check out We Tell Stories, and read at least Hard Times, and 21 Steps. I can’t wait till the last one comes out.