The Making of English

Is there evidence of how and where the languages of Europe began? There is no conclusive understanding of where, and how, language as an identifiable form of communication began. This is not surprising, bearing in mind that language is transient, carried either by oral or scribed units of meaning with minimal evidence of the latter…

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Quarantine: a word hitting the headlines at the moment

Quarantine is not a word that we want to hear as it usually denotes a situation that is, albeit temporary, a medical emergency with an uncertain future. Widespread diseases that have given rise to decisions that quarantine is the only option have occurred throughout history. It is generally recognised as a given period of time when…

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Brexit and Ukrainegate: different sides of the same coin

Which coin and why? For a start, it has nothing to do with politics.As it’s a Wednesday post from me, this is all about Words and the coinage of new ones from old. Both ‘Ukrainegate’ and ‘Brexit’ are words recently fashioned to conceptualise headline-grabbing issues. Their similarity is a semantic one in that they are…

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Happiness: just what is it?

At the beginning of a new year, a new job, a new relationship there will often be an accompanying wish for happiness.Happiness becomes a mantra for fulfilment. For contentment. For success. How did ‘Happiness’ get into our lexicon? The arrival was fairly straightforward; the path to its current meaning was less so. The root of…

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