Radio Omniglot

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Liangmai (Lianglad), a Zemeic language spoken in Manipur and Nagaland in northeast India. Besermyan (бесерман көл), a Permic language spoken in northern Udmurtia in the Russian Federation. Mbe (M̀bè), a Southern Bantoid language spoken in southeastern Nigeria. Yipma (Yɨ’ayagaala), a Trans-New Guinea language […]

In this Adventure in Etymology, we’re looking into bloggery and other blog-related words. As this week marks the 20th anniversary, or blogiversary of the Omniglot Blog, which I started on 26th March 2006, I thought I’d explore some blog-related words. Bloggery is the act or practice of writing a blog, or blogging The word blog […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New adapted script: Asirilik (Асирилик), a way to write Tamazight with the Cyrillic alphabet devised by Xavier Merica New adapted script: Chukchi Latin Alphabet (Lyghorawetlhen Latinlhen Alfavit) – a way to write Chukchi with the Latin alphabet created by Dijacz. New language pages: Koshin (Kɔshin), a […]

In this Adventure in Etymology, we’re holding it together as we uncover the origins of the words content and content. As an adjective, content [kənˈtɛnt] means satisfied, pleased or contented, and as a noun, it can mean satisfaction, contentment or pleasure, or that which contents or satisfies. As a verb, to content means to give […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New writing system: Quốc âm tân tự (國音新字), a syllabic script for Vietnamese based on strokes from chữ Hán and chữ Nôm characters devised during the 19th century. New language pages: Reyesano, a Tacanan language spoken in José Balivián Province in Beni Department in northern Bolivia. […]

What links the word flood with words for flow, river and high tide? Let’s find out in this Adventure in Etymology. Meanings of flood [flʌd] include: An overflow of a large amount of water (usually disastrous) from a lake or other body of water due to excessive rainfall or other input of water. A large […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Rabha (ৰাভা), a Sal language spoken in Assam, West Bengal and Maghalaya in the northeast of India. Kenyang (Kɛ́nyāŋ), a Mamfe language spoken in the Manyu and Meme departments in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. Araona (alaōna), a Tacanan spoken in the La […]

Are the words harmony and reason connected? Let’s find out in this Adventure in Etymology. Meanings of harmony [ˈhɑː.mə.ni] include: Agreement or accord. A pleasing combination of elements, or arrangement of sounds. Two or more notes played simultaneously to produce a chord. It comes from Middle English armonie (harmonious sounds, song, music, harmony), from Old […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Jagham (Ejagham), an Ekoid language spoken in southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon. Bobongko, a Central Tivoid language spoken in the Menchum Department of the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Gaʼdang, a Northern Luzon language spoken in Luzon in the Philippines. Kemezung (Kɨmədzuŋ), an Eastern […]

What does the word rhythm have to do with flowing? Let’s find out in this Adventure in Etymology. Meanings of rhythm [ˈɹɪð.m̩] include: The variation of strong and weak elements (such as duration, accent) of sounds, notably in speech or music, over time; a beat or meter. A specifically defined pattern of such variation. A […]