Lexicon Valley

From Uptalk to Vocal Fry, Women Are Prolific Language Innovators

Want to hear what English will sound like in the future? Talk to a woman.

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Episode Notes

Women have always been at the avant-garde of language evolution. Centuries ago, they led the way in reforming our pronouns and, more recently, they have dramatically influenced the way we communicate with uptalk and vocal fry. Want to hear what English will sound like in the future? Talk to a woman.

Podcast production by Mike Vuolo.

About the Show

If you’ve ever had curious thoughts and questions about the ways we speak, read, and write, Lexicon Valley is the show for you. Hosted by linguist John McWhorter.

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