For those of us who speak only one language, the idea of learning twenty or thirty sounds impossible. But there are “hyperpolyglots” who have managed this remarkable feat. Evelina Fedorenko, PhD, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, discusses what sets polyglots apart and what scientists might learn from studying them. She also discusses how languag ... Show More
Oct 21
Why we complain and how to do it better, with Robin Kowalski, PhD
Whether it’s grumbling about a boss, the weather, or a spouse’s most annoying habit, we all complain. Robin Kowalski, PhD, of Clemson University, discusses why we complain; the difference between venting and complaining to get results; how to complain in a way that doesn’t wear p ... Show More
26m 54s
Oct 14
Beyond screen time: What makes educational technology effective, with Nicole Barnes, PhD
Digital tools now help teach students everything from spelling to math to science -- but flashy features don’t always translate to learning. Nicole Barnes, PhD, executive lead psychologist for education at the American Psychological Association and lead author of a new report on ... Show More
33m 42s
Oct 7
Are you a workaholic or just a hard worker? With Malissa Clark, PhD
Many of us have trouble switching off from work, whether it's staying late at the office, checking messages on vacation, or lying awake running through tomorrow's to-do list. Malissa Clark, PhD, of the University of Georgia, discusses how workaholism differs from simply working h ... Show More
28m 54s
Jun 2021
'I'm Willing To Fight For It': Learning A Second Language As An Adult
Becoming fluent in a second language is difficult. But for adults, is it impossible? Short Wave hosts Maddie Sofia and Emily Kwong dissect the "critical period hypothesis," a theory which linguists have been debating for decades — with the help of Sarah Frances Phillips, a Ph.D. ... Show More
14m 46s
Oct 2023
Ep28 "Does your language shape your thinking?"
Are there really dozens of words for snow in northern cultures? What did the movie Arrival have to do with language and cognition? Why are Russians better than Americans at distinguishing certain shades of blue? And what does any of this have to do with space, time, gender, and h ... Show More
33m 39s
Mar 2025
How Learning a New Language Rewires Your Brain—Lessons from the Pirahã Tribe | Daniel Everett : 1258
<p><strong>Is the Way You Speak Limiting How You Think?</strong></p><p>For years, scientists debated how language shapes the brain, but new research reveals it goes far beyond communication. Some languages lack numbers, grammar, or even complex sentences—yet their speakers naviga ... Show More
1h 11m