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Why are you laughing: The science of humour

Why are you laughing: The science of humour

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While humour is an innate part of being human, dating back to ‘primate laughter’, exactly what makes something funny is still mostly unknown
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AI learns its first words (and helps explain how humans acquire language)

AI learns its first words (and helps explain how humans acquire language)

How do we learn to associate specific objects with specific words? A team from New York University have developed an AI ‘baby’ to help us answer this question.
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Being an international student is hard enough – microaggressions make it harder

Being an international student is hard enough – microaggressions make it harder

Being an international student is not only hard because you’re learning a new culture away from home. Even comments that are well-intentioned can cause more harm than good
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Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, the ‘Giant of African Literature,’ discusses normalised abnormalities in Manchester

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, the ‘Giant of African Literature,’ discusses normalised abnormalities in Manchester

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o discusses his life works, decolonisation through literature and normalised abnormalities in his talk at the university of Manchester
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Empowerment through language: Stop putting yourself down

Empowerment through language: Stop putting yourself down

With Reclaim the Night in mind, the Lifestyle section has decided to unpack how the language we use to address ourselves and others has the power to change our outlook from self-doubt to self-confidence
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The Language of Time

The Language of Time

The language you speak directly impacts your understanding of time. Could the western-dominated scientific community be losing out on important interpretations of the universe?
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Are romantic relationships really important?

Are romantic relationships really important?

King Peter of Portugal killed because of love, but is it really all that? Laura Thompson questions whether love is really as important as it is made out to be
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Coronaspeak: What impact is the language of lockdown having on us?

Coronaspeak: What impact is the language of lockdown having on us?

The medicalisation and militarisation of everyday language is a tool for national unity and misinformation in equal measure, argues Lucca Di Virgilio
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Erasmus students left in limbo as Brexit fiasco continues

Erasmus students left in limbo as Brexit fiasco continues

Erasmus programmes are in jeopardy over loss of funding
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Research suggests babies can pick out words in speech

Research suggests babies can pick out words in speech

International scientific research collaboration has found evidence revealing that humans are born with the innate skills to pick out words from language
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Are emojis really expression?

Are emojis really expression?

Cachella Smith argues that the prevalence of emojis in our everyday speech is changing our ability to use and appreciate the English language.
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Bachelors and Spinsters: Is there a way to un-gender language?

Bachelors and Spinsters: Is there a way to un-gender language?

Jay Darcy looks at the language used to describe single men and women and how it reveals the deeply gendered and misogynistic attitudes towards promiscuity.
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The failures of communication

Ryan Khurana examines the nature of communication, perception, and the ineffectiveness of modern debate
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Can language eliminate discrimination?

With the word ‘cisgender’ established in the dictionary, does the term help or hinder the cause for transgender and other LGBT+ people?
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The death of rhetoric in politics

In light of recent events, Ryan Khudara critically assesses a shift in political language
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International Alcohol Etiquette: Breaking down the barriers of communication

A brief guide on the essential phrases you will need when travelling to order some booze and drinking with anyone, anywhere
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#wtf?

#OMG, wot is happening 2 da English language?
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How to get away with murder

With us humans–us feeble, naïve, easily swayed humans–using the right language can really change everything. The case hasn’t changed much since the beginning of time: using the perfect combination of words is an ancient weapon used by politicians, writers, musicians and world-leaders. In fact, one of the areas where the correct language is especially useful […]
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Minds matter

Joe Evans calls upon us to stop ridiculing and ignoring the increasingly important and relevant issue of dangerous mental health problems
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Majority of European languages at risk of extinction

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A study has found that most European languages lack the technological support required to survive in the digital age
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