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Copied from Youtube description: "How did humans acquire language? In this lecture, best-selling author Steven Pinker introduces you to linguistics, the evolution of spoken language, and the debate over the existence of an innate universal grammar. He also explores why language is such a fundamental part of social relationships, human biology, and human evolution. Finally, Pinker touches on the wide variety of applications for linguistics, from improving how we teach reading and writing to how we interpret law, politics, and literature."

Imagine traveling to the next state, or even the next town, and not being able to converse with others. This is how it was for the deaf until ASL (American Sign Language) was formed in 1841. This tells of the history of ASL.

This website addresses what sign language is, how ASL compares to sign language in other countries, where ASL came from, how ASL compares with spoken English, how children learn ASL, and what research is being done now.

Thanks to Scott Herzer for this story, about Anderson Valley, an isolated corner of Mendocino County about two hours north of San Francisco, where people speak in a hinterland dialect called Boontling. The dialect is endangered and hopefully won't "pike to the dusties" (go to the graveyard) anytime soon.

Brief history on how it SMS text messaging came about, and why it is useful.

This article talks about how texting can affect a teenager's brain

Texting can mold a child or teenager's brain negatively.