Radio Omniglot

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Northern Alta (Edimala), a Northern Luzon language spoken in Aurora Province in Central Luzon in the Philippines. Idiom Neutral, an international auxiliary language pubished in 1902 by the International Academy of the Universal Language. Southern Alta (Kabulowan), a Northern Luzon language spoken in […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Muyu (प्हगाल ङुर), a Greater Magaric language spoken in central Nepal, and Sikkim in the northeast of India. Ilianen (Iliyanen), a Central Manobo language spoken in Mindanao in the Philippines. New constructed script: Pallawa Myansatuyin, an alternative way to write Indonesian and other […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we investigate some impeccable peccadillos. Pecadillos / Little Indulgences A peccadillo [ˌpɛ.kəˈdɪ.loʊ / ˌpɛ.kəˈdɪ.ləʊ] is a small flaw or sin, a petty offence, a minor misdemeanor, or an infraction of an ethical code. It comes from Spanish pecadillo [pe.kaˈð̞i.ʝo] (a minor sin or pecadillo), a diminutive of pecado (sin) from […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New writing system: Kharpa, which is used to write Bhujel (प्हगाल ङुर), a Greater Magaric language spoken in central Nepal, and Sikkim in northeast India. New language pages: Bhujel (प्हगाल ङुर), a Greater Magaric language spoken in central Nepal, and Sikkim in northeast India. Tera, a […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we discover what connects the words energy, work. Meanings of energy [ˈɛnədʒi / ˈɛnɚdʒi] include the impetus behind all motion and all activity; the capacity to do work; a quantity that denotes the ability to do work (in physics), and so on. It comes from Middle French énergie (energy), from […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Wawonii (Wowoni), a Celebic language spoken on Wawonii Island in Southeast Sulawesi Province in Indonesia. u̠t-Ma’in, a Northwest Kainji language spoken in the northwest of Nigeria. Karitiâna (Yjxa), a Tupian language spoken in Rondônia in the North Region of Brazil. New constructed script: […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we discover what connects the words spider, spin and spangle. A spider [ˈspaɪ̯də / ˈspaɪ̯dɚ] is any of various eight-legged, predatory arthropods of the order Araneae, most of which spin webs to catch prey. (Other meanings are available). The verb to spider means to move like a spider, to cover […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Bowili (Tuwuli), a Kwa language spoken in the Volta Region in southeastern Ghana. Alagwa (Alaagwa’isa), a South Cushitic language spoken in the Dodoma Region in central Tanzania. Lela (c’Lélà), a Northwest Kainji language spoken in the northwest of Nigeria. New constructed script: Phoenixian, […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we find out what connects the words furnish and perform. To furnish [ˈfɜːnɪʃ / ˈfɝnɪʃ] means to provide a place with furniture, or other equipment, to supply or give (something), or to supply (somebody) with something. It comes from Middle English furnishen (to fit out or equip, to provide or […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Kanembu (Kanembou / كَنٜݦُ), a Western Saharan language spoken in southeastern Chad. Teda (Tedaga), a Western Saharan language spoken in Chad, Libya and Niger. Afade (Afaɗə), a Chadic language spoken in northern Cameroon and northeastern Nigeria. New numbers page: Bowili (Tuwili), a Kwa […]