Radio Omniglot

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Shi (Mashi), a Northeast Bantu language spoken in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ikwo, an Igboid language spoken in Ebonyi and Cross River states in southern Nigeria. Ngaing, a Finisterre language spoken in the south of Madang Province of […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we discover the odd origins of the word awkward. Meanings of awkward [ˈɔːk.wəd / ˈɔk.wɚd] include: lacking dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments; not easily managed or effected; embarrassing; lacking social skills, or uncomfortable with social interaction; difficult to handle. It comes from awk, an obsolete […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Yali (Yalimo), a Trans-New-Guinea language spoken in Papua province of Indonesia. Western Bukidnon Manobo (Minenub’ù), a Greater Central Philippine language spoken in the Northern Mindanao region of the Philippines. (the 2,400th language on Omniglot, by the way) Komba, a Finisterre-Huon language spoken in […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Thao (Thau a lalawa), a Formosan language spoken near Sun Moon Lake in central Taiwan. Cara, a Plateau language spoken in Plateau State in central Nigeria. Eleme, a Cross River language spoken in Rivers State in southeast Nigeria. Waimoa (Waima’a), a Timoric language […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we scratch at the roots of the word scribe. Thoth, Egyptian god of the Moon, wisdom, knowledge, writing, science, magic, art and judgement, scribe of the gods, inventor of (Egyptian hieroglyphic) writing, reading and music A scribe [skɹaɪ̯b] is someone who writes, a draughtsperson, a writer for another, a secretary, […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Anaang (Anaañ), a Cross River language spoken in Akwa Ibom State in the southeast of Nigeria. Kilivila (Kiriwana), a Western Oceanic language spoken in the Trobriand Islands in Papua New Guinea. Sudest (Vanatɨna), a Western Oceanic language spoken on Sudest Island in Milne […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we discover the odd roots of the word umpire. An umpire [ˈʌm.paɪə(ɹ) / ˈʌm.paɪɹ] is an official who presides over a sports match, or a person who arbitrates between contending parties. To umpire means to act as an umpire in a game, or to decide as an umpire. It comes […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Kara, a Western Oceanic language spoken in New Ireland Province in Papua New Guinea. Kenyah, a North Bornean language spoken in Indonesia and Malaysia on the island of Bornea. East Ambae, a Southern Oceanic language spoken on Ambae Island in Vanuatu. New numbers […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we find out what links the words symbol, ballet and problem. A symbol [ˈsɪmbəl] is a character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object; a thing considered the embodiment or cardinal exemplar of a concept, theme, etc – other meanings are available. It comes from French symbole (symbol), from […]