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Feb 2024
4m 26s

Why do words sound funny when repeated?

American Public Media
About this episode
Have you ever noticed that when you say the same word over and over, it starts to sound funny? It’s like the word loses its meaning and just becomes weird, disconnected sounds. One of our listeners wanted to know why, and we went to linguist Shohini Battasali for the answer.  Got a Moment of Um question for us? Go to BrainsOn.org/contact to send it to us, an ... Show More
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