English Language

Language commentator Geoff Nunberg considers the puzzle of the anonymous anthrax letters.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg reflects on "The Star Spangled Banner" and possible alternative anthems that would be less militaristic and easier for everyone to sing.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg on the language of religious fundamentalists.

Mary Karr reads:
“There Was Earth Inside Them” (1963) by Paul Celan
“”On Prayer” (1974) by Czeslaw Milosz

Linguist Geoff Nunberg on the history of the term "terrorism."

Linguist Geoff Nunberg on the practice of giving names to military operations, like the misconceived Operation Infinite Justice that was pulled from use.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers the words we use to denote a down-turn in the economy.

Language commentator Geoff Nunberg on solutions.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg wonders if the English language could do with fewer adverbs.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg responds to listeners comments about his anachronism piece a few weeks ago and the popular use of the word –gay— referring to homosexuals.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg talks about the word "literally".

Linguist Geoff Nunberg talks about linguistic anachronysms.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg examines the origins of the word "apology."

Linguist Geoff Nunberg talks about the use of the term Lucubrate.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers the word like.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers how the September 11th attacks and the aftermath have affected the way we talk.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers the word literacy.

Language commentator Geoff Nunberg considers the realm of legal-speak in light of all the court action surrounding the presidential election.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg talks about a new kind of literacy test revealed by the Palm Beach County Ballot controversy.

Literary forensics expert Don Foster. Named the first literary detective of all time, he uncovered the identity of Joe Klein as the Anonymous writer of 1996’s “Primary Colors”. His new book is “Author Unknown: On the Trail of Anonymous” (Henry Holt, Inc.) which details the techniques he uses to identify writers behind anonymous books and documents. He teaches English at Vassar College.