Linguistics HQ
Episodes
Grammar on the move: an introduction to syntactic borrowing
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Do you know your Balkans from your Baltic? Does that preposition have a passport? And how did the Normans get their own back on us for borrowing so ma...
Finders keepers: an introduction to lexical borrowing
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Take a siesta from your schedule, hit the sofa in your pyjamas and rendezvous for a linguistic smorgasbord of loan words! Tune in to this episode to ...
Going back to our roots: an introduction to ethnic identity and mother tongue
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How can you trick someone into thinking you're bilingual? What are AAVE, MLE and UBE? And where have the Ancient Greeks got to?! Tune in to find out a...
International Women's Day: pioneering female linguists
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Who was behind the decipherment of Linear B? Who was the 'Saxon Nymph'? And was there once a high priestess of linguistics? Tune in to find out about ...
In a class of its own: an introduction to language and socioeconomic status
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What's another name for a precarious proletariat? Do accents open doors - or are they still quietly closing them? And is covert prestige just for secr...
Putting linguistics on the map: an introduction to language and geographical origin
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Do you know your MLE from your UBE? Are you more of a trapper or a strutter? Do you ever find yourself changing your accent to fit the situation? And ...
Just act your age! An introduction to language and age
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Does language use really get worse over time, or are we just getting older? Is slang just too skibidi for a parliamentary speech? And for how long hav...
He said, she said.....: an introduction to language and gender
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What makes a Greek grammarian grumpy? Is it asking for purple but getting midnight aubergine? Or is it appearing in the same podcast episode as Britne...
When humans first had the last word: an introduction to the origins of language
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered where language actually comes from? Why did humans develop language in a way that other species didn't? And are bow-wow, ding-d...
Between the lines: an introduction to pragmatics
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why do we say 'I’ll think about it' when we’ve already decided? What's the difference between 'thanks' and 'thanks'? Could a misplaced emoji start...
Meaning business: an introduction to semantics
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you been mixing your metaphors recently? Are you reticent or reluctant? How can you reanalyse a crayfish? And which deadly device is lurking in y...
Black History Month: Pioneering black linguists
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is it really possible to succeed academically on four hours sleep a night (and retain your good looks)? What’s the key to getting people to use your...
The grammar blueprint: an introduction to syntax
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you know your equative from your versative? Why do some languages play fast and loose with word order? And what did Plato have to say about parts o...
Sounds intriguing! An introduction to phonology
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the difference between a pharyngeal and an alveolar? How many types of 'd' do we really need? What are people really doing when they tut-tut ...
Introduction: what is linguistics and why do we need to know about it?
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this introductory episode I'm going to tell you what linguistics is and why we need to know about it! I’m also going to talk about why I decided ...
What's in a word? An introduction to morphology
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered how new words are made? Or how to avoid getting delayed by a chatty Aztec? Is talk of acronyms giving you FOMO? This episode lo...
Linguistics HQ trailer
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Linguistics HQ, the new fortnightly show that aims to get people thinking, talking and learning about the science of language! Starting wit...