March 1, 2014

Words, words, words

Terry Moore: Why is 'x' the unknown

Does texting mean the death of good writing skills? John McWhorter posits that there's much more to texting -- linguistically, culturally -- than it seems, and it's all good new.

February 28, 2014

Steven Pinker: On Language and Thought

Linguist Steven Pinker questions the very nature of our thoughts -- the way we use words, how we learn, and how we relate to others. In his best-selling books, he has brought sophisticated language analysis to bear on topics of wide general interest.

February 28, 2014

Tony Salvador: The listening bias

Listening to both customers and colleagues to gather insights and information is a key ability that successful people possess. Tony Salvador shares some strategies for being a better listener : to lose preconceptions, to be vulnerable and open to...

February 27, 2014

Suzanne Talhouk: Don't kill your language

More and more, English is a global language; speaking it is perceived as a sign of being modern. But - what do we lose when we leave behind our mother tongues? Suzanne Talhouk makes an impassioned case to love your own language, and to...

The New York Times   February 7, 2014

Tricks

Snowboarders and skiers have an extensive vocabulary of spins and flips. Some tricks are named for their technical requirements, others for their flair. Here, some of the best riders describe the joy and fear that come with these jaw-dropping maneuvers.

November 26, 2013

New York Times Talks. Ian McKellen & Patrick Stewart.

Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart sit down with New York Times theater reporter Patrick Healy. Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart return to Broadway for an exciting two-play repertory of Harold Pinter's "No Man's Land" and Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot." Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart also discuss their work in the "X-Men" films as the friends-turned-foes Magneto and Professor Xavier.

November 13, 2013

Listen to Julius Purcell on France’s linguistic anxiety

The thought of French purists fretting over 'les snackbars' has long-tickled English-speakers

Click "Play" button to listen (if you don't see it, download Flash player)

October 26, 2013

Spoken Word: The Rise of Performance Poetry

Spoken word is a form of poetry usually written to be performed in front of an audience, and often associated with hip hop culture. In recent years its popularity has soared in the UK – and now, as part of the London Literature Festival, the Southbank Centre is hosting the final of "Shake the Dust", a national poetry slam for teenagers.

September 24, 2013

Using TED Talks To Learn Any Language

It's a lunch-break ritual: I grab my lunch and watch a TED talk. It's a chance to learn about something new, to listen to fascinating people - and, last but not least, to get a breather from the work before me. I love me some TED-related goodness. And the best part? You can actually use TED talks to...