dialects

ferrante

Language versus dialect, or why we're obsessed with Elena Ferrante

Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan novels have become global hits. They are rife with love and sex and the mob — and commentary about language. This week on the podcast we explore Italy's linguistic history and the tensions between Italian dialects and the lingua franca.

Language versus dialect, or why we're obsessed with Elena Ferrante
Screenshot from a parody video made by Christian singer Micah Tyler.

'What a total God shot!' Understand that? Then you speak Christianese.

'What a total God shot!' Understand that? Then you speak Christianese.
Elsie Solomon, Gladys Kattan and Lisette Shashoua at Lisette's home in Montreal.

Arabic has a Jewish dialect, and these women speak it

Arabic has a Jewish dialect, and these women speak it

Josh Katz’s Dialect Quiz Show

Josh Katz’s Dialect Quiz Show

Why Is the Boston Accent Wicked Hard to Do?

Why Is the Boston Accent Wicked Hard to Do?

Fancy a British Accent?

With so many British actors playing American characters, Kurt wondered: how hard would it be to learn a convincing British accent?

Fancy a British Accent?
Le Rencontre, a French-speaking meetup at the Franco-American Heritage Center, Lewiston, Maine.

In Maine, a little French goes a long way

Fifty years ago, kids caught speaking French in Maine schools might be punished. Today, schools are teaching it to help young people regain their heritage, in a state where 20 percent have a Franco-American background.

In Maine, a little French goes a long way