The hottest Language Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Wrong Twice A Day

Fragmentary • 491 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
📚 Literature Language
  1. Pedantry in language can be a vice, but also adds to the evolution of language.
  2. Using terms like "12pm" for lunchtime can lead to confusion due to lack of clarity.
  3. The 12-hour clock system can be confusing; switching to a 24-hour system may be simpler.

I love words but I don't trust them

Bits of Wonder • 491 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Language
  1. Language can deceive us in various ways, confusing concepts with reality and creating false insights.
  2. Despite the pitfalls of language, it is necessary for our existence and essential to our humanity.
  3. By recognizing the limitations of language, we can use it to escape its traps and find balance in our thoughts.

Reflections in a Puddle

Fragmentary • 491 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Language
  1. Interacting with ChatGPT highlights its limitations and lack of true artificial intelligence.
  2. The hype around large language models as AI may be misleading; they are more like well-executed information tools.
  3. Adding new technologies has societal consequences that should be considered and policies set accordingly.

When In Rome!

The Quadrilateral • 471 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
🏝 Travel Language
  1. Guide books like Rick Steves' Rome and Lonely Planet's Pocket Rome provide useful information for exploring Rome.
  2. When visiting Rome, expect clear English communication from locals, but trying to speak Italian is appreciated.
  3. For dining in Rome, explore smaller spots off main streets for better quality food, and don't be afraid to order house wine for a good experience.
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The Politics of Names

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 379 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Language
  1. Place and species names often reflect who named them, usually white men, which can ignore the stories of local people and cultures. It’s important to understand the history behind these names.
  2. The American Ornithological Society wants to change bird names that honor problematic people to make them more inclusive and focus on the birds themselves. This change means letting go of some historical stories that are tied to those names.
  3. Exploring new names can help build connections to nature and understand different perspectives. Learning from the local knowledge of traditional communities can enrich our appreciation of the natural world.

The Ravineous City

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 219 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Language
  1. Seattle has many natural ravines formed by a mix of geology, climate, and time. These ravines provide unique landscapes in the city.
  2. Different places use different terms for similar features; for example, Tacoma prefers 'gulch' over 'ravine'. This shows how local culture influences language.
  3. Ravenna is a well-known ravine in Seattle with interesting historical and linguistic connections. Its name reflects a mix of culture and nature.

Why Carrots and Princes Are Orange

Outlandish Claims • 59 implied HN points • 05 Jun 24
💾 History Language
  1. Dutch people's preference for growing orange carrots influenced the global dominance of orange carrot cultivars.
  2. The House of Orange's historical significance is intertwined with German propaganda efforts during the Middle Ages.
  3. The color orange became associated with carrots due to British propaganda in World War II linking carrot consumption to improved eyesight.

The Wit's Guide to Euphemism

Get Wit Quick • 393 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Language
  1. Euphemisms were traditionally used for sensitive topics like sex and death
  2. Euphemisms are often used in real estate listings to mask negative attributes
  3. Euphemisms can be seen as a way to soften harsh truths or navigate social situations

Explicitly Speaking

Timeless & Timely • 196 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Language
  1. Words considered vulgar or offensive are always changing.
  2. Presidents using profanities is not uncommon and they are only human.
  3. Historically, society's perception of offensive language has evolved over time.

Yes, I Power-Capitalize

I Might Be Wrong • 7 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
😂 Humor Language
  1. Capitalizing words for effect is a conscious stylistic tool to emphasize meaning and cue readers that a joke or special tone is intended.
  2. Traditional grammar rules are useful but can be bent in comedy because visual cues like capitalization and italics help control cadence and make punchlines clearer.
  3. Writers who produce frequent humorous pieces use tools like power-capitalization to make jokes land and accept that grammar purists may object.

A language family of one, a land beyond conquest

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 657 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
💾 History Language
  1. The Basque language, Euskara, is unique as it is the only surviving indigenous non-Indo-European language in Europe. This makes it a fascinating subject of study, as it has no known relatives.
  2. Basques have a distinct genetic profile, with a high frequency of RH-negative blood type. This unusual trait contributes to theories about their origins and historical isolation in Europe.
  3. Recent genetic research suggests that the Basques may not be the oldest inhabitants of Europe as previously thought, but instead, they are descended from human populations that lived before the introduction of agriculture.

The AI basis of the Eve Theory of Consciousness

Vectors of Mind • 314 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🔬 Science Language
  1. The Eve Theory of Consciousness suggests self-awareness was discovered by women and spread memetically.
  2. Personality structure can be understood using language models to determine latent factors related to important traits.
  3. Gossip and social selection played a role in shaping personality traits like considerateness and tolerance.

(Don't Fear) The Blackpill

Default Wisdom • 177 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Language
  1. Incel slang is used within those communities as a way to show membership and create a sense of belonging. This helps to prove insider status among its members.
  2. Not all incels fit into a simple political label, and their community is actually quite diverse. They come from different backgrounds and hold various beliefs.
  3. People are forming emotional attachments to AI similar to their bonds with other humans. This could help some individuals practice healthier relationship habits.

Dog is God Backwards

Off-Topic • 314 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Language
  1. Pet owners often create unique voices and stories for their pets, like a little private language that makes life more fun. This 'Dog Voice' reflects the owners' love and imagination.
  2. The bond with pets can feel deeply personal, almost as if they have their own personalities and inner lives. This connection helps owners cope with feelings of loss when pets are gone.
  3. Grieving a pet is natural and shows the strong emotional ties we form with them. Many people have shared similar feelings throughout history, which shows that this love is universal.

Why am I bad at Scrabble?

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 373 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
📚 Literature Language
  1. Being good at Scrabble isn't just about having a large vocabulary or great spelling skills. It's more about understanding the specific rules and structure of the game.
  2. Scrabble requires a different type of thinking that is more linear and bounded, which can be challenging for those who excel in creative and associative thinking.
  3. This kind of thinking challenge is similar for both people and language models. They can be great at connecting ideas but struggle with systematic tasks like Scrabble.

Forgive yourself for speaking on behalf of the world

The Joyous Struggle • 276 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Language
  1. The challenge with collective action problems, like climate collapse, is complicated by the ambiguity of the term 'we' in English, lacking the distinction between inclusive and exclusive pronouns.
  2. English's status as a predominant global language, particularly online, influences communication dynamics and power structures due to historical reasons.
  3. The inherent ambiguity in the term 'we' in English complicates addressing pervasive collective challenges, leading to speaking on behalf of everyone without acknowledging the diverse perspectives and interests that exist.

Why Writing Needs Speaking

Regress Studies • 275 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
📚 Literature Language
  1. We naturally communicate fluently when speaking, which can help overcome struggles in writing.
  2. Writing offers unique affordances that encourage complex meanings and enhance privacy compared to speech.
  3. Hyper-awareness of written words can lead to writing difficulties, but leveraging speaking as a drafting tool can be beneficial.

The Effect of Culture in UX

UX Psychology • 258 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🕹 Technology Language
  1. Understanding cultural differences is crucial in UX design to cater to diverse user needs globally.
  2. Cultural dimensions like individualism-collectivism, high-vs-low context communication, and power distance can significantly impact user behavior and preferences.
  3. Incorporating cultural sensitivity in design through research, inclusive elements, and collaboration with local experts can enhance user experience for a diverse global audience.

He, she, it

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 499 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Language
  1. Using 'it' to refer to animals can make them seem less important. Referring to them as 'he' or 'she' helps us remember they are living beings with feelings.
  2. Language shapes how we see the world. When we use more respectful pronouns for animals, it helps us connect better with nature.
  3. Changing how we talk about animals can be difficult, but it's important for building a better relationship with all living things.

Dune Names Are Good, Actually

Counter Craft • 849 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Language
  1. Dune's worldbuilding strikes a balance between the familiar and the strange, making it unique and engaging.
  2. Language in worldbuilding should reflect a balance of otherness and familiarity to enhance themes and characters.
  3. Worldbuilding language should evoke reader imagination while still maintaining readability and evocativeness.

Twilight of Truth?

Earthly Fortunes • 235 implied HN points • 11 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Language
  1. Language AIs have flaws, but they sparked our care for truth again.
  2. Machines producing statistics aren't always truthful. There's a difference between probable and actual truths.
  3. We shouldn't rely on truth engines for moral decisions. Humans hold moral truths and should be cautious about giving up our values to machines.

The Importance Of Using Words Honestly

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 26 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
📖 Philosophy Language
  1. Words need stable, conventional meanings so people can communicate clearly; changing meanings without warning just creates confusion and wastes time.
  2. People and institutions sometimes redefine words deliberately to mislead or to make bad policies sound virtuous, using moral-sounding terms to win support.
  3. If you use a word in a new way, say so up front and be consistent; correcting a wrong common usage is fine, but it should be done clearly so discussion can move on.

Accented literature

The Leftovers • 179 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
📚 Literature Language
  1. Embracing your accent can be a way to authentically express your identity and communicate your true self, rather than trying to conform to a standard accent.
  2. Accented cinema, like accented literature, offers alternative perspectives that challenge mainstream norms and reflect the cultural background of the creator.
  3. Culture thrives on cross-contamination and diversity, emphasizing the beauty in differences rather than seeking purity or homogeneity.

Defund the em dash police

Situation Normal • 104 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
📚 Literature Language
  1. Some people, called the em dash police, try to identify writing made by AI just by spotting certain punctuation marks, like the em dash. This can be really annoying.
  2. The em dash is a versatile punctuation mark that can replace commas or parentheses and is often misunderstood by those who don't read much. Some people might not even recognize it.
  3. There's a bigger issue of reading comprehension in society, with many people struggling to understand complex texts. It might be more helpful to focus on improving education than policing writing styles.

Faithfulness in translation

The Leftovers • 199 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Language
  1. Translation is a crucial art that applies across various sectors, including literary work.
  2. Literary translation requires a different skill set but still follows similar principles as other forms of translation.
  3. Engaging in translation work offers a profound hands-on experience with language, revealing the truth of translation.

He So Horny

Mister Slang • 196 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Language
  1. Cuckoldry in history is related to natural history and terms like 'horny' stem from old German farming practices.
  2. The concept of 'wearing horns' generated a vocabulary around cuckoldry and male infidelity.
  3. Slang terms for male reproductive organs and impotence reveal societal attitudes about virility and masculinity.

[Updated] 'Speaking of Mothers' - a superb piece of writing from Sarah Henderson.

A B’Old Woman • 179 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Language
  1. The word 'mother' has a deep and lasting meaning in many cultures. People feel strongly that this word should not be replaced with terms like 'birthing parent'.
  2. Society is moving away from using the word 'mother', which some believe is a troubling trend. It raises concerns about losing connection to important social roles.
  3. The importance of language in shaping our understanding of relationships and identity is highlighted. Words like 'mother' help create feelings of connection and belonging.

Philosophy is the mathematics of language

Wood From Eden • 816 implied HN points • 23 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Language
  1. Philosophy is the art of clarifying concepts and finding links between them.
  2. Philosophy is similar to mathematics in that it explores relationships between concepts, just as mathematics explores relationships between numbers.
  3. Concepts in philosophy change over time, making it a field that evolves constantly unlike mathematics which is built on stable concepts.

Suis-je polygame parce que je suis Noir ?

L'Atelier Galita • 299 implied HN points • 19 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Language
  1. Polygamy is a form of marriage where an individual is married to multiple people, often an man to several women.
  2. In France, polygamy is prohibited by law, as it is illegal to have multiple marriages.
  3. Words carry connotations, and it's important to be mindful of the implications of the words we use, especially in sensitive or potentially racist contexts.

My Birthday Toast to my Palestinian Arabic Teacher

The Chris Hedges Report • 238 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Language
  1. The Arabic teacher, Ruba, uses honesty and humor to engage her students, making learning fun and memorable.
  2. Both the teacher and student share a deep emotional connection, often supporting each other through hard times, especially regarding difficult current events.
  3. The classes become a form of therapy and resilience, reminding them that they must continue learning and resisting despite the challenges they face.

My Favorite Essay

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 97 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
📚 Literature Language
  1. Writing can be a fun game, even if it's for a boring assignment. Making it playful, like sneaking in surprises, can make the experience enjoyable.
  2. Language has power and can shape our world, so it's important to choose words thoughtfully. Crafting sentences with care can be satisfying and fun.
  3. Even if you find a class boring, you can still absorb valuable lessons. Sometimes, what seems dull on the surface can hold deeper meanings that stick with you.