Is it possible to tell the whole history of a language in under half an hour? In this episode, we try our best. In the season finale, the whole Multilinguish team gets together to focus on five key moments in English language history, from its start as Proto-Indo-European to its role as a global lingua franca today. We explore how humans changed language, and how language changed us. For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine: babbel.com/en/magazine/multilinguish-the-story-of-english Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting babbel.com/coupons/new and using the code MULTI 

Multilinguish

The Story Of English

Which language should you learn? It can be hard to decide between so many incredible options, but we have a few in particular for you to consider. In this episode, our language experts reveal the top 3 easiest and hardest languages (in their humble opinion) for English speakers to learn. We discuss what makes these languages particularly easy or challenging and why they're worth taking the time to learn regardless.  Special thanks to Elin Asklöv and Ted Mentele for lending their insight on this episode.  For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine: babbel.com/en/magazine/multilinguish-easiest-hardest-languages Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting https://www.babbel.com/coupons/new and using the code MULTI

Easiest And Hardest Languages

Most of us are familiar with the folktales of the Brothers Grimm, from Cinderella to Sleeping Beauty to Snow White. But how much do you know about the impressive legacies of the men behind these magic and mysterious stories? In this episode, we dive into the work of Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm — not only as collectors of generations of oral tradition but also as linguists and language scholars whose near-lifelong dedication to the German people and their language contributed to the flourishing of the German national spirit from a linguistic lens. For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine: babbel.com/en/magazine/multilinguish-the-brothers-grimm/ Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting https://www.babbel.com/coupons/new and using the code MULTI.

The Brothers Grimm: Between The Lines

Early education is designed to set you up for success, but it also often sets you up for a certain amount of disillusionment as you get older. The language classroom is no exception. In this episode, we talk about what makes language learning so different as an adult when you're free to self-direct your own process. Then, we deliver a rousing exposé on the biggest lies our language teachers personally told us. For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine: babbel.com/en/magazine/multilinguish-language-myths/ Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting babbel.com/coupons/new and using the code MULTI.

Lies Your Language Teacher Told You

How do babies learn languages? We don't know for sure. One of the leading theories is Universal Grammar, which is the idea that humans are genetically predisposed to acquire languages, but not all linguists agree on this. In this episode, we talk about this theory, its originator Noam Chomsky and why Universal Grammar has become one of the most divisive topics in linguistics.  Special thanks to Jennifer Dorman for her help and insight on this episode.  For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine: babbel.com/en/magazine/multilinguish-universal-grammar Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting https://www.babbel.com/coupons/new and using the code MULTI.

Are We Born With Language?

If you're like us, you love the idea of being able to communicate with animals. But how realistic is this dream? From prairie dogs to dolphins to Koko the Gorilla, we look at the surprisingly complex language animals use with each other and attempts to teach them human language. Special thanks to Con Slobodchikoff for taking the time to speak with us for this episode. For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine: babbel.com/en/magazine/multilinguish-animal-language/ Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting babbel.com/coupons/new and using the code MULTI.

Talking To Animals

What exactly goes on in your head when you're speaking a language? What happens when you learn a new one, or forget your mother tongue as you age in another country? Does reading Braille require different parts of your brain than reading text on a page? Why does the aphasia patient sing? In this episode, we’ll deconstruct the parts of the brain that make language possible by quite literally bringing them to life. For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine: babbel.com/en/magazine/multilinguish-your-brain-on-language   Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting https://www.babbel.com/coupons/new and using the code MULTI.

Your Brain On Language

Every year, dictionaries and language organizations around the world choose a word that they think best sums up the previous 12 months. In 2020, there were a few obvious choices. But rather than spending the whole time talking about coronavirus, we go beyond the top words and look at all of the terms and phrases that defined a historic year.  For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine: babbel.com/en/magazine/multilinguish-words-of-the-year-2020  Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting https://www.babbel.com/coupons/new and using the code MULTI.

Bonus: Words Of The Year 2020

You've probably been told countless times to avoid "like," "um" and "uh" in your speech. But these words may serve more of a linguistic purpose than many of us realize. In this episode, we look at the science behind using these filler words in conversation to find out why they're actually, um, like, normal. And we take a look at how they appear in languages across the world. Special thanks to James Douglas for taking the time to speak with us for this episode. For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine: babbel.com/en/magazine/multilinguish-filler-words Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting https://www.babbel.com/coupons/new and using the code MULTI.

The World Of, Um, Filler Words

Buckle up for season 3 of Multilinguish – coming this winter to a podcast feed near you. This season, Babbel's content team brings you fun facts and fascinating conversations about animal languages, filler words, the Brothers Grimm, how language-learning works in the brain, and much more. Subscribe now!  Learn more about Multilinguish here: https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/language-linguistics-podcast-multilinguish

Season 3: Coming Soon!

What are the cutest English words? We have some thoughts. Plus, we tell you why Elon Musk's wild predictions about language are probably wrong, and share some of your submissions on how you're using language during quarantine.Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting babbel.com/podcast and using the code MULTI.

BONUS: Elon Musk's Language Prophecy (At Home)

Which foreign-language shows should you stream? We've got some recommendations, plus the surprising reason we call those big, growling animals "bears," and other fun language trivia. Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting babbel.com/podcast and using the code MULTI.

BONUS: Foreign-Language TV Recs & More (At Home)

What were Ben Franklin's least favorite letters in the alphabet? Can HBO's 'My Brilliant Friend' help you learn Italian? We discuss these questions and more language trivia and tips. We're stuck at home and you probably are too, so let's learn something new.Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting babbel.com/podcast and using the code MULTI.

BONUS: Language Trivia (At Home)

Call 315-273-4200 and leave a message with your language story for a chance to be featured on a future episode of the podcast! What does language mean to you during this new and strange time? Tell us about how you've used language during a crisis, your strategies for learning a language alone, how you're communicating with people while social distancing, or any other language story you'd like to share. Leave us a voicemail at 315-273-4200. We're excited to hear your stories!

ATTN: Your Stories Needed!

Switching between languages is a natural part of being bilingual — but why? How does the bilingual brain work, is it difficult to keep your languages separated, and what does code-switching say about us as language learners and social beings? We answer these questions together with experts from Babbel's team of linguists and a bilingual panel.Get 50% off a 3-month Babbel subscription by visiting babbel.com/podcast and using the code MULTI.For more info about what we discussed in this episode, visit Babbel Magazine: babbel.com/en/magazine/multilinguish-code-switching-decoded Special thanks to Jennifer Dorman, Michela Mosca and Todd Ehresmann.

Code-Switching Decoded

Not multilingual, but language curious? Explore how language connects us all — from the producers at the language-learning app Babbel. Season 2 is here! New episodes come out every other Tuesday. Listen and subscribe today.

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