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John McWhorter, Mark Z. Danielewski: Dictionaries and the Bending of Language
John McWhorter, Mark Z. Danielewski: Dictionaries and the Bending of Language
ratings:
Length:
79 minutes
Released:
Apr 11, 2016
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
Through the etymology of words, the OED exhibits the shape-shifting nature of language across time, reflecting how it bends to the task of describing our evolving human experience. But is all change good? What is the role of the dictionary in reporting, recording, and refereeing language variation and change? Linguist, political commentator and author of The Power of Babel and Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue, John McWhorter talks with genre-busting author of House of Leaves Mark Z. Danielewski about whether dictionaries support or inhibit the idiosyncratic use of language as a means of creative expression. Presented as part of the Library Foundation’s project, Hollywood is a Verb: Los Angeles Tackles the Oxford English Dictionary. Click here for photos from the program.
Released:
Apr 11, 2016
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
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