Evidence Isn’t Just for Research
This Friday, we offer a humorous take on the importance of empirical evidence in this era of fraud and mis/disinformation.
The Next Disruption is Listening — In Every Language
Each new change in scholarly communication promises to make research fairer, faster, more transparent. Yet, in many cases, researchers, especially from under resourced countries or from countries where English is not the first language, face added pressure to catch up, rather than to move forward.
Guest Post — From Language Barrier to AI Bias: The Non-Native Speaker’s Dilemma in Scientific Publishing
For decades, EAL researchers have faced systemic disadvantages in publishing. AI writing tools promise relief, yet, they also bring new risks into science.
What’s the Magic Word?
What’s the magic word? Is it “please”? “Abracadabra”? Wingardium leviosa”? Why are humans drawn to incantations and affirmations?
Translating D’oh!
Wait, Homer Simpson doesn’t say “D’oh!” in different countries?
The Devil is in the Details, Specifically, Titivillus, the “Medieval Demon of Typos”
Have you been visited by Titivillus, the demon of typographical errors?
Is Grammar an Inherent Product of the Human Brain?
A long-running academic controversy — do humans share a universal grammar that stems from the structure and evolution of the human brain?
Language Evolves, or rather, Constantly Cooks New Ways to Pass the Vibe Check
A millennial linguist dares to speak to a gen-alpha audience in their native tongue.
Rubber Ducking For Research Communication: Why Explaining to Nobody Helps You Explain to Anybody
Explaining research to a rubber duck might sound odd, but it could be the secret to clearer thinking and better communication. This post explores how “rubber ducking” — a technique borrowed from programming — can help researchers explain complex ideas with more clarity, creativity, and confidence.
Guest Post — Classification as Colonization: The Hidden Politics of Library Catalogs
The renaming of “Mount Denali” and “Gulf of Mexico” to the politically loaded “Mount McKinley” and “Gulf of America” reveal the naked truth of what cataloging has always been: a battlefield where meaning is contested and conquered.
What We Can Learn About Languages from the Words for Parts of the Body
Because body parts have always been with us, they can tell us a lot about the development of languages.
Grammarian vs. Errorist
A battle to the death, the Grammarian versus the Errorist. Who will triumph?
Guest Post: Reflections from The Munin Conference Part One – Bibliodiversity
This is the first article of three in a guest series reflecting on the main themes and ideas gathered and discussed at the Munin Conference at the end of 2024. Today’s focus is bibliodiversity.
Ahoy! Why is English Awash in Nautical Terms?
Why is the English language so filled with nautical terms?
Peer Review Week 2024: Ask the Chefs
Leading into Peer Review Week 2024, we ask the Chefs: What is, or would be, the most valuable innovation in peer review for your community?