Linguist Geoffrey Nunburg says that, unlike classic Victorian writers, contemporary authors don't intend for their work to be read aloud. But that doesn't stop actors from doing it -- and often in uncomplimentary ways.

Once word got out about Sen. Harry Reid's recently reported 2008 remarks about then-candidate Barack Obama's skin color and speech, just about everybody thought he needed to apologize — not least Reid himself. But people had different stories about why.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg on the use of the word 'regime.'

How do you draw the line between dramatic license and historical accuracy? That was the essence of the controversy over the recent ABC docudrama The Path to 9/11, just as it was a few years ago with the CBS miniseries that put words in Ronald Reagan's mouth that he never uttered. Docudrama may be a new word, but it raises old questions about truth and fiction.

Fresh Air's resident linguist considers how we use the words "civility" and "incivility."

Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers dictionaries today and yesterday.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers the staying power of new words that enter the lexicon.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg takes a look at enunciation and diction.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers the uniquely American tradition of spelling bees. The oracular practice may date back to a time when literacy was considered a form of magic. But, Nunberg says, it has nothing to do with education.

Alien, illegal, undocumentated, immigrant — the debate over immigration policy is also about the words used by the various sides. Linguist Geoff Nunberg says the language of immigration has been controversial for as long as immigration has been an issue in American life.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg comments on the popularity of e-mail. Noting that in this "age of banter" e-mail suits us well.

Nunberg talks about terms used in racial classification, such as Caucasian.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg examines the current state of black english.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg on Eurocentric culture.

Language commentator Geoffrey Nunberg explains some of the reasons you shouldn't use a dictionary.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg comments on the recent new interpretations the words "heritage" and "tradition."

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg tells us about endangered languages. Some will naturally die based on changing ways of living, while others are actively repressed.

The only literary work about punctuation I'm aware of is an odd early story by Anton Chekhov called "The Exclamation Mark." After getting into an argument with a colleague about punctuation, a school inspector named Yefim Perekladin asks his wife what an exclamation point is for. She tells him it signifies delight, indignation, joy and rage. He realizes that in 40 years of writing official reports, he has never had the need to express any of those emotions.

What do Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, George W. Bush, and John Edwards have in common? They've all been criticized for the way they speak. Linguist Geoff Nunberg has some thoughts about candidates and regional cadence.

Nunberg considers the word "torture."