When we speak, we’re rarely just exchanging information. We’re signalling care, emphasis, belonging, or respect, often without realising it.
In this edition, we look at how languages repeat sounds to shape meaning, choose words to preserve harmony, and encode relationships directly into grammar. We also explore what happens when a language begins to disappear, and why music can sometimes teach us what textbooks can’t.
Everyday Expressions
Turkish: “Nazik ol”
Meaning: A simple phrase meaning “Be kind.”
Why it’s fascinating:
In English we often say “be nice,” but in Turkish nazik ol literally asks someone to be courteous, a subtle emphasis on social harmony.
Example:
Lütfen nazik ol.
“Please be kind.”
Why people love it:
It packs social intention and emotional concern into everyday language, not just instruction, but connection.
Some expressions teach us not only what to say, but how to relate.
Logic Behind Linguistics
Why Some Languages Use Reduplication
Reduplication is the repetition of a whole or part of a word to change meaning.
Examples:
Indonesian:
orang → “person”
orang-orang → “people”Spanish (informal/emphatic):
poquito-poquito = “very little”Arabic (intensive):
jamīl → “beautiful”
jamīl-jamīl → “very beautiful”
Why this happens:
Reduplication can signal emphasis, plurality, intensity, or affection, all without adding new words. Instead of creating new vocabulary, languages repeat sound patterns to enrich meaning.
Books We Recommend
Linguistics: A Complete Introduction by David Hornsby
A clear, comprehensive guide that explains how linguists analyse language, from sounds and grammar to meaning and use.
Why it’s worth reading:
Explores phonetics, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics
Shows how sounds become meaning, and meaning becomes culture
Makes linguistic theory approachable through real examples
Music Without Borders
This Week’s French Playlist
We’re exploring French through music you can actually listen to, not classroom drills.
This curated playlist includes everything from classic French chanson to contemporary pop. You’ll hear varied accents, expressions, emotion, and real day-to-day language in melodic form.
Why this is an excellent learning tool:
Sounds you’ll recognise in conversation, not textbooks
Rhythms that help your ear absorb patterns naturally
Vocabulary tied to feeling and culture, not lists
Endangered Languages/Voices at Risk
In one small riverside village in southwestern Ethiopia, the last speakers of Ongota still whisper words no other people on Earth understand. Their language, once part of a thriving culture, now balances on the edge of silence.
Ongota isn’t just rare. It’s unique. Unrelated to any known language family, it carries the story of a people who endured isolation, change, and time itself. Preserving it means keeping alive a voice the world is only just beginning to hear.
Fun Facts Worth Sharing
In Thai, there’s no single word that directly means “I” or “you” in all situations.
Instead, speakers choose from many different pronouns depending on age, gender, social status, intimacy, and politeness.
For example:
ผม (phǒm) = “I” (polite, male speaker)
ฉัน (chǎn) = “I” (neutral or informal)
เรา (rao) = literally “we,” often used to mean “I” in friendly conversation
Why it’s interesting:
Thai doesn’t just express who is speaking, it expresses the relationship between speakers.
Language becomes a social map, not just a grammatical system.
Join the Conversation
What’s your favourite example of how language reflects culture? Share your thoughts with our community on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.
How your brain rewires itself when you learn a second language (and why it’s measurable)? A: MRI studies show bilinguals have higher grey-matter density in the inferior parietal lobule. Bilingualism isn’t just about communication. It’s cognitive strength training. #bsky #langsky
— Language Learners Hub (@languagelhub.bsky.social) 2025-11-05T19:36:14.999Z
When you share Language Learners Hub, you’re not just inviting friends. You’re helping us create more free tools and resources for everyone.
What’s possible through referrals:
Pronunciation Cheat Sheet — available now for all members.
Mini Masterclass Video Pack — coming soon.
The Polyglot’s Private Collection — coming soon.