logo
episode-header-image
Yesterday
34m 30s

Who invented the English language?

Vermont Public
About this episode

Where did the English language come from? Why do words have silent letters? Why do some people have accents? Why do some words sound similar? Answers to all of your questions about English and words with sociolinguist Erica Brozovsky, host of a PBS digital show called Otherwords. 

Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript

Up next
Jul 25
Chameleons, jellyfish and ballerinas! Check out But Why Bites
For today’s episode, we’re doing something a little different! We’re going to be listening to our video series, But Why Bites! (Even without the video part, they’re really cool!) Every other week over on our YouTube channel, we answer one kid question in a short and sweet little ... Show More
14m 2s
Jul 11
Who created math problems?
Who created math problems? Why does one plus one equal 2 and not 11? Why do numbers go on forever? Why are numbers for counting? Why do you need math?If you love math, this is the episode for you. And if you hate math…this is the episode for you! We’re answering all kinds of ques ... Show More
29m 10s
Jun 27
Why do some people like spicy food?
Ever wondered why some spices burn your throat while others tickle your nose? Or why some of us live for spicy foods while others sweat at the mere thought of a habanero? How do pickles stay crunchy if they’re sitting in brine for weeks on end? And why do we have such different f ... Show More
28m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
174: Math Mind. With Shalinee Sharma
Are you ready to spark a love for math in your child? Listen in as my guest, Shalinee Sharma, reveals her top tips. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. The Mathematical Mind is something we all possess, yet there are many myths about having a math mind or not. Toda ... Show More
33m 2s
Oct 2023
A Mathematician Asks ‘Is Math Real?’
When math is based on abstract concepts, how do we know it’s correct? Dr. Eugenia Cheng takes on that question in a new book. The concept of math has been around for a long time, developing independently in many different cultures. In 1650 BC, the Egyptians were creating math tex ... Show More
33m 8s
Dec 2023
Ep402 - Eugenia Cheng | Is Math Real?
Mathematician and author Eugenia Cheng visits Google to discuss her book “Is Math Real?: How Simple Questions Lead Us to Mathematics’ Deepest Truths.” The book aims to liberate math from its shackles to show how human curiosity, creativity, rule-breaking and seemingly silly quest ... Show More
57m 42s
Sep 2024
The Hidden Secrets of Math: Invented or Discovered? (Part 2)
Where does math come from? Mathematicians are still debating whether math is an inherent part of nature or an invention of the human mind. Mathematics communicator and drag queen Kyne will guide you through the question of what math really is in this three-part Friday miniseries. ... Show More
13m 28s
Jun 2024
134. Why Do We Still Teach People to Calculate?
Conrad Wolfram wants to transform the way we teach math — by taking advantage of computers. The Mathematica creator convinced the Estonian government to give his radical curriculum a try — so why is the rest of the world so resistant? SOURCE:Conrad Wolfram, strategic director and ... Show More
58m 44s
Feb 2024
Building robots to get kids hooked on STEM subjects
As a child Solomon King Benge loved Eric Laithwaite’s 1974 book The Engineer in Wonderland, based on the mechanical engineer’s 1966 Royal Institution Christmas lectures. After reading it he asked his physics teacher if he and his classmates might try some of Laithwaite’s practica ... Show More
19m 33s
Mar 2024
60. For the love of maths
As a child, Kate Ertmann starred in commercials, in soap operas and on Broadway. But acting wasn’t her first love - mathematics was. She considered it to be “a balm" for her brain. And yet societal and teenage pressures made her turn away from maths.Growing up in Sweden, Sebastia ... Show More
29m 5s
Jun 3
Let's Bake: How Baking Helps Kids Learn Math
🍪 Full recipe below! Elliot’s baking cookies—but his first batch turns into a big, chocolatey goop! What went wrong? In this sweet and silly episode of the Lingokids Podcast, the gang learns that following a recipe isn’t just important… it’s also a fun way to practice math skill ... Show More
8m 55s
May 15
We're baaaack! New Season! Mo’ Problems!
Max and Molly are graduating out of the First Level of Problem Solvers -- however the ceremony is interrupted when the lights go out. When the lights come back on —their gold Problem Solving medals are missing! From here, a riddle leads them to ancient inventions, hotel kitchens, ... Show More
20m 28s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami