Category Archives: language

The Wonder of Whiffling

Posted on February 6, 2010 by Charles Lambert

A couple of years ago I wrote a post about a book called Toujours Tingo by, as I said then and will repeat now, the splendidly named Adam Jacot de Boinod. The book, a sequel to The Meaning of Tingo, … Continue reading →

Posted in language | Leave a comment

The art of public speaking…

Posted on January 14, 2010 by Charles Lambert

…as exemplified by Sarah Palin on Fox News, when asked what she thinks about Obama’s slump in the poll numbers: “Of course they’re sinking. It was just a matter of time before more of that reflection of the people’s uncomfortableness … Continue reading →

Posted in language, palin | 4 Comments

Mind your language

Posted on September 23, 2009 by Charles Lambert

Productive dialogue is relatively easy among equals, perhaps because it’s supported by a kind of openness that occurs when no one feels under threat and when the basic aim of the dialogue – greater understanding, a solution amenable to all … Continue reading →

Posted in berlusconi, democracy, italy, language | 2 Comments

The face of factual

Posted on July 10, 2009 by Charles Lambert

I’m not a Strictly Come Dancing fan – I prefer reality shows that incarcerate the contestants and reduce them to a state of ratlike desperation – but my heart bled a little for Arlene Phillips today when I saw that … Continue reading →

Posted in language | Leave a comment

Names

Posted on June 14, 2009 by Charles Lambert

A footnote to my last post. Googling for images of house sparrows I found myself with an infinite selection of Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow but surprisingly few pictures of the actual bird (in the first three pages, 3 birds to … Continue reading →

Posted in language | Leave a comment

Language

Posted on March 3, 2009 by Charles Lambert

This was seen on a lamp post near Piazza Bellini in Naples yesterday. I don’t think the last line is a joke. If it is, it’s missing a heartfelt need. 

Posted in italy, language, naples | Leave a comment

Recursion

Posted on November 10, 2008 by Charles Lambert

This great photograph accompanies an article in today’s Guardian about the ex-missionary and linguist, Daniel Everett, and his experiences with an Amazonian tribe, as a result of which he’s had probelms not only with God, and his family, but also … Continue reading →

Posted in chomsky, language, religion | 1 Comment

Stick

Posted on November 4, 2008 by Charles Lambert

There’s an interesting piece on the Guardian books blog today about self-referential humour, triggered by a joke that turns out to be less lavatorial than one might expect. But it’s actually the comments that made me copy the link and post this. One … Continue reading →

Posted in language | 2 Comments

God help us

Posted on October 4, 2008 by Charles Lambert

“Say it ain’t so, Joe! There you go pointing backwards again … Now, doggone it, let’s look ahead and tell Americans what we have to plan to do for them in the future. You mentioned education, and I’m glad you … Continue reading →

Posted in humour, language, religion, USA | Leave a comment

Rule of thump

Posted on July 27, 2008 by Charles Lambert

A misprint I came across in a report I’m editing today, about banana cultivation in atoll islands. It’s talking about how often banana plants should be fed with organic matter and suggests once a month as a rule of thump. … Continue reading →

Posted in error, language | 2 Comments