Chris Ledgard mulls over the language and peculiarity of puzzles. Read more
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Language Games
Chris Ledgard mulls over the language and peculiarity of puzzles.
Language Laws
Chris Ledgard looks at the laws surrounding language use, from libel to blasphemy.
The Rise of the Political Soundbite
Chris Ledgard and guests discuss the art and efficacy of the political soundbite.
Prime Suspects
Michael Rosen and top crime writers on the changing language of the police interview.
Kids TV
Michael Rosen looks at children's television and its effects on language development.
Baby Talk
Michael Rosen asks if baby talk benefits or hinders language development.
Chimps and Language
Chimps communicate but, asks Michael Rosen, do their utterances mean they use language?
Office Jargon
Michael Rosen and guests 'drill down' into the subject of office jargon.
How accurate are scientific metaphors?
Is gravity really like a bowling ball on a sheet? Michael Rosen on scientific metaphors.
Talking Terrorism
It's a word that can start a war. Michael Rosen explores the meaning of 'terrorist'.
Creating Characters
Michael Rosen talks to writers about how character is created through language.
Journalese
Michael Rosen on the necessary evil of journalistic clich茅.
Social Register
Do we change the way we speak according to the person we are speaking to?
Scots
Michael Rosen goes to Glasgow to hear about the Scots language with Sanjeev Kohli.
Time
Michael Rosen asks what time is and explores the words we use to talk about it.
Words That Wound
Words can be abusive, cruel and cause offence. Which is worse: online or face-to-face?
Reader, I Marinated Him - the language of food
Michael Rosen and guests debate the language of food, from Oliver's 'more' to cannibalism.
Weighing Your Words
Chris Ledgard investigates three situations where precise use of words is crucial.
Message in a Bottle
Chris Ledgard uncorks the subject of messages in a bottle.
Newspeak
Chris Ledgard explores Orwell's dystopian vision of the future of language - Newspeak.
How the Telephone Rewired Us
Chris Ledgard explores the impact of the telephone.
The Online Me
Are we different online than in real life? Gemma Cairney asks Nick Grimshaw and friends.
Talking About Cancer
The writer Graham Joyce with a personal take on the ways in which we talk about cancer.
Is the Double Entendre in Rude Health?
Arthur Bostrom examines the origins, colourful history and new era of the double entendre.
Speaking, Listening and the English GCSE
Chris Ledgard host a discussion on speaking and listening skills and the English GCSE.
First Words: How do children develop language?
Michael Rosen on the first sounds and words that babies learn.
Ebola: How should we talk about it?
Michael Rosen talks to Oxfam's media officer on how we should speak about Ebola.
Why do we laugh?
Michael Rosen finds out why we laugh and why we cry, with neuroscientist Sophie Scott.
How Is English Going to Change in the future?
Michael Rosen looks ahead, with the help of linguists Bas Aarts and Laura Wright.
Philip Pullman and Michael Rosen talk about language and writing
Philip Pullman and Michael Rosen talk in depth about language and writing.
Are you really Somali? Using language to determine country of origin
Michael Rosen on the use of language analysis to judge asylum seekers' country of origin.