Lexicon Valley

Does English Have a Future?

Lots of languages have no dedicated way to indicate later-ness. Somehow life goes on.

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Episode Notes

There are any number of ways to suggest that an event takes place at some hypothetical time that is not right now. Do we really need a special “future tense” to express that idea? Lots of languages, it turns out, manage OK without one.

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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