Episodes

  • Omniglot News (28/06/26)

    Omniglot News (28/06/26)
    Jun 28 2026
    Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Kara, a Western Oceanic language spoken in New Ireland Province in Papua New Guinea. Kenyah, a North Bornean language spoken in Indonesia and Malaysia on the island of Bornea. East Ambae, a Southern Oceanic language spoken on Ambae Island in Vanuatu. New numbers […]
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    3 mins
  • Adventures in Etymology – Odd Umpires

    Adventures in Etymology – Odd Umpires
    Jul 4 2026
    In this Adventure in Etymology we discover the odd roots of the word umpire. An umpire [ˈʌm.paɪə(ɹ) / ˈʌm.paɪɹ] is an official who presides over a sports match, or a person who arbitrates between contending parties. To umpire means to act as an umpire in a game, or to decide as an umpire. It comes […]
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    2 mins
  • Omniglot News (05/07/26)

    Omniglot News (05/07/26)
    Jul 5 2026
    Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Anaang (Anaañ), a Cross River language spoken in Akwa Ibom State in the southeast of Nigeria. Kilivila (Kiriwana), a Western Oceanic language spoken in the Trobriand Islands in Papua New Guinea. Sudest (Vanatɨna), a Western Oceanic language spoken on Sudest Island in Milne […]
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    4 mins
  • Adventures in Etymology – Scribbling Scribes

    Adventures in Etymology – Scribbling Scribes
    Jul 11 2026
    In this Adventure in Etymology we scratch at the roots of the word scribe. Thoth, Egyptian god of the Moon, wisdom, knowledge, writing, science, magic, art and judgement, scribe of the gods, inventor of (Egyptian hieroglyphic) writing, reading and music A scribe [skɹaɪ̯b] is someone who writes, a draughtsperson, a writer for another, a secretary, […]
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    2 mins
  • Omniglot News (19/07/26)

    Omniglot News (19/07/26)
    Jul 19 2026
    Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Yali (Yalimo), a Trans-New-Guinea language spoken in Papua province of Indonesia. Western Bukidnon Manobo (Minenub’ù), a Greater Central Philippine language spoken in the Northern Mindanao region of the Philippines. (the 2,400th language on Omniglot, by the way) Komba, a Finisterre-Huon language spoken in […]
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    3 mins
  • Omniglot News (26/07/26)

    Omniglot News (26/07/26)
    Jul 26 2026
    Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Shi (Mashi), a Northeast Bantu language spoken in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ikwo, an Igboid language spoken in Ebonyi and Cross River states in southern Nigeria. Ngaing, a Finisterre language spoken in the south of Madang Province of […]
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    3 mins
  • Adventures in Etymology – Balletic Symbols

    Adventures in Etymology – Balletic Symbols
    Jun 27 2026
    In this Adventure in Etymology we find out what links the words symbol, ballet and problem. A symbol [ˈsɪmbəl] is a character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object; a thing considered the embodiment or cardinal exemplar of a concept, theme, etc – other meanings are available. It comes from French symbole (symbol), from […]
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    3 mins
  • Omniglot News (12/07/26)

    Omniglot News (12/07/26)
    Jul 12 2026
    Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Thao (Thau a lalawa), a Formosan language spoken near Sun Moon Lake in central Taiwan. Cara, a Plateau language spoken in Plateau State in central Nigeria. Eleme, a Cross River language spoken in Rivers State in southeast Nigeria. Waimoa (Waima’a), a Timoric language […]
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    2 mins