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The most complete description I've seen (along with graphic) for how the ancient language reconstructions algorithms work.

Emoji use is on the rise, but so is GIF use. GIF's allow users to quickly express complex emotion more completely than a a handful of emojis could. One user says "I'm not that great with words, but if I find the perfect GIF, it nails it." GIF's may be the next frontier of electronic communication.

'To Google' has become a universally understood verb and many countries are developing their own internet slang. But is the web changing language and is everyone up to speed? In April 2010 the informal online banter of the internet-savvy collided with the traditional and austere language of the court room.

The meaning of words, and the way we used them, change all the time - and that's OK with linguist John McWhorter of Columbia University. He writes about how the English language has evolved in his new book, Words on the Move: Why English Won't - And Can't - Sit Still (Like Literally). This is a terrific book, by the way, with lots of entertaining examples of language shift, semantic drift, linguistic blending and contracting: perfect read for Words R Us. Highly recommended!

This tiny device fits inside the ear and promises to translate for two people in real time. "The Pilot" is a wearable device for two people that translates in real time as they speak, right into each person's ear.

Theoretically speaking, there is widespread confusion about the word "theory." Right? Many people interpret the word as iffy knowledge, based mostly on speculative thinking. It is used indiscriminately to indicate things we know - that is, based on solid empirical evidence - and things we aren't sure about.

How do animals communicate with each other? A look at the Lana project, Washoe, a comparison with human communication and evaluation of research.

Animals too rely on structured communication systems to help transmit information. In fact, the ability to communicate information is ubiquitous in the animal kingdom : all life on this planet is able to communicate, both with other individuals of the same species, and with individuals of different species.

SINGAPORE - Is the government's war on Singlish finally over? Our wacky, singsong creole may seem like the poor cousin to the island's four official languages, but years of state efforts to quash it have only made it flourish. Now even politicians and officials are using it.

Re " A Dreaded School Test in France Becomes a Tool of Integration " (Fontenay-sous-Bois Journal, May 12): Several factors contribute to the necessity of retaining the dreaded dictation ( dict ée) as an essential tool in teaching the French language.

Baltimore Sun editor John E. McIntyre tells you why you should forget everything your teacher taught you when it comes to gender-neutral pronouns.

Australian composer Liza Lim unveils her opera "Tree of Codes," which includes snippets of a Turkish whistling language from a small mountain village. This article explains that numerous people believe that if tradition is dying, something new should take it's place; there must be a way to incarnate the dying into something new.

Babies who engage in musical play may have an easier time picking up language skills, a recent study says. U.S. researchers compared 9-month-old babies who played with toys and trucks to those who practiced banging out a rhythm during a series of play sessions.

The historical origins of 6 swear words.

Language in humans has evolved culturally rather than genetically, according to a new study. By modeling the ways in which genes for language might have evolved alongside language itself, the study showed that genetic adaptation to language would be highly unlikely, as cultural conventions change much more rapidly than genes. Thus, the biological machinery upon which human language is built appears to predate the emergence of language. Professor Nick Chater, University College London Cognitive, Perceptual and Brain Sciences, says: "...although we have appear to have a genetic predisposition towards language, human language has evolved far more quickly than our genes could keep up with, suggesting that language is shaped and driven by culture rather than biology. The linguistic environment is continually changing; indeed, linguistic change is vastly more rapid than genetic change. "

This article explores how dogs perceive human language and whether tone of voice matters. Through this experiment, it was discovered that dogs respond positively to a positive tone of voice and neutrally to a neutral tone of voice. However, if the dog was reprimanded in a positive tone of voice, the dog would perceive that as a praise. In terms of language evolution, it suggests that the ability to "process meaning and emotion in different parts of the brain and tie them together is not uniquely human."

This article talks about how and why words in the English language are changing. For example, people now use "double check" when they really mean they will just "check". "Whelm" used to mean what "overwhelm" does now. Humans have done this over many years because it is in human nature to unconsciously give words extra strength. This article also analyzes some writers that are stuck behind the "train moving forward" that is the English language. The author of the article wonders if these writers will be able to keep up as years go on.

Columbia University linguist predicts 600 languages will remain in 2115 This will be due to the movement of people and parents not teaching their children 'native' languages used to particular parts of the world Dr John McWhorter says languages will also likely become more simple Translating tools will not be enough to preserve linguistic diversity Sci-fi visions of the future may focus on soaring skylines and flying cars, but the world in 100 years may not only look different, but sound different too.