11 Apr
All words are sounds. And some sounds are words – oink, quack, neigh, pow, bam, biff. A sound-word is called an onomatopoeia (on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh). Like great yoghurt, olives and moody gods, the term is Greek. A lot of this linguistic phenomenon imitates nature – the call of animals and birds, the cry of babies, and sounds we […]
4 Apr
We sometimes talk about globalization as if it happened because of two decades of economic liberalization in India. In fact, it has been going on for thousands of years. In the 4th century BCE (Before Common Era), some of what is now India was part of an empire ruled by a former pupil of the […]
29 Mar
The most special time of the year is finally here! Yes, it’s the season for ohanami, which means spring is here! It is a joyful event for almost everyone in Japan. Everywhere, people are talking about when to go for ohanami. I got an invitation, too! Above: Cherry blossoms in Washington, DC, last Saturday What […]
28 Mar
We Indians are used to sneaking in the occasional English word when we speak in Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali, Marathi, or some other Indian language. But it wasn’t until I shared a home with an Iranian roommate in the US that I realized how much Farsi I already knew, without ever having learned the language. My […]
21 Mar
Spring means many things to many people: cute little lambs frolicking about, flowers, spring fever, Easter…. For people who suffer from pollen allergies, it may mean staggering about in an anti-histamine stupor. For couch potatoes, it means this: Above: Spring has sprung, and a couch prepares for rebirth Of course, “spring” can also mean a […]
15 Mar
With St. Patrick’s Day coming up on March 17, it’s important to keep in mind that having fun is not necessarily the same thing as being stupid. Our simple tips will help you reach home safely, and not end up in a hospital or police station. Sting’s words float musically through my mind: If “manners […]
14 Mar
In an article on feminist vocabulary, a reader commented that the subject matter had “obviously become too hyperacademicated.” This makes it sound like the words had both tonsillitis and pneumonia, and were in need of research drugs. The other interesting fact to note is this reader was using an imaginary word that he (or she) […]
7 Mar
We would all readily associate the First World War with catastrophe. But, it was also a time of creativity. Trenches, tanks, steel helmets, poisonous gases, blood banks, and mobile x-ray machines were some legacies of the war. As was the emergence of Poland, the Soviet Union, Turkey and other nationalities. However, what emerged from the […]
4 Jan
If you’re watching something interesting, informative, or funny – chances are you’re YouTubing. Here are 7 of the funniest YouTube channels for you to love and laugh about! 1. Jennamarbles Jenna Marbles or Jenna Mourey is one of few females who hosts a channel in YouTube’s top 20. Mourey gained popularity in 2010 with her […]
24 Dec
It’s June 17, 1960 and you live in New York City. You’re in the mood to watch a movie tonight, and Alfred Hitchcock’s latest offering sounds like a fairly good bet. So you put on your over-blouse, tunic & favourite hat and head out. You reach DeMille theatre and are quite surprised to see a […]