Radio Omniglot

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Kwaʼ (Bakwa’), a Bamileke language spoken in the southwest of Cameroon. Ndau (ChiNdau), a Bantu language spoken mainly in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Ndonga (OshiNdonga), a Bantu language spoken mainly in the north of Namibia, and also in southern Angola. Arammba (Aramba), […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we focus on the origins of the word focus. Focus [ˈfəʊ.kəs / ˈfoʊ.kəs] as a noun can mean: A point at which reflected or refracted rays of light converge. The quality of the convergence of light on the photographic medium. Something to which activity, attention or interest is primarily directed. […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Kgalagadi (SheKgalagadi), a Southern Bantu language spoken mainly in the Kgalagadi and Gantsi districts in southern Botswana. Saluan (Bahasa Saluan), a Celebic language spoken in the east of Sulawesi in Indonesia. Humburi Senni (humburi ciini / هُمْبُرِ ٺِينِ‎), a Southern Songhay language spoken […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we investigate the origins of the word cardinal. As an adjective, cardinal [ˈkɑː.dɪ.nəl / ˈkɑɹdɪnəl] can mean: Of fundamental importance, e.g. a cardinal rule. Of or relating to the cardinal directions (north, south, east and west). Describing a “natural” number used to indicate quantity (eg 1, 2, 3, 4, etc), […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Jarawa, a Southern Bantoid language spoken in Bauchi State in northeastern Nigeria. Cypriot Greek (κυπριακά), a variety of Greek spoken in Cyprus and by the Greek Cypriot diaspora. Dendi, a Southern Songhay language spoken mainly in northern Benin, and also in Niger and […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we look into the origins of the word loiter. To loiter [ˈlɔɪtə(ɹ) / ˈlɔɪtɚ] can mean: To stand about without any aim or purpose; to stand about idly. To remain at a certain place instead of moving on. (archaic) To stroll about without any aim or purpose, to ramble, to […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Ha (Igiha), a Bantu language spoken in the Kigoma Region in the northwest of Tanzania. Fut (Bɨfɨɨ̀), an Eastern Grassfields language spoken in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Maasina Fulfulde (مَاسِنَ ڢُلْڢُلْدٜ‎), a West Central Fula language spoken in Mali, Ivory Coast and […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we investigate the origins of the word nemesis. Nemesis [ˈnɛməsɪs] can mean: An enemy, especially an archenemy. A person or character who specifically brings about the downfall of another person or character, as an agent of that character’s fate or destiny, especially within a narrative. The personification of the “fatal […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Bangolan (Bǎŋgulaŋ), an Eastern Grassfields language spoken in the Northwest Province of Cameroon. Chopi (Cicopi), a Southern Bantu language spoken mainly in Inhambane Province in southern Mozambique. Palembang (Baso Pelémbang / باسو ڤليمباڠ‎), a Malayic language spoken in Palembang in South Sumatra Province […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we search for the elemental origins of the word quintessence. Quintessence [kwɪnˈtɛs.əns] is: A thing that is the most perfect example of its type; the most perfect embodiment of something; epitome, prototype A pure substance. The essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form. (alchemy) The fifth […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New writing script: New Phonetic Character (上海土音字寫法), a script created by the Rev. Tarleton Perry Crawford in the 1850s to write Shanghainese. New constructed script: Evolved Alphabet, an experimental alphabet for a future form of English created by TheDankBoi69. New language pages: Kumam (Ikokolemu), a Southern […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we’re uncovering some facts about the words fact and fiction. Meanings of fact [fækt] include: Something actual as opposed to invented. Something which is real. Something concrete used as a basis for further interpretation. An objective consensus on a fundamental reality that has been agreed on by a substantial number […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Baba (Supapyag), an Eastern Grassfields language spoken in the North West Region of Cameroon. Bamukumbit (Maŋkɔŋ), an Eastern Grassfields language spoken in the North West Region of Cameroon. Sawai, a South Halmahera language spoken on Halmahera island in North Maluku Province in Indonesia. […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Ushoji (اُݜوجو), an Eastern Dardic language spoken mainly in the Swat District in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in northwest Pakistan. Aer (آیر), a Western Indo-Aryan language spoken in Sindh in Pakistan and Gujarat in India. Dameli (دمیلی), a Dardic language spoken in the […]

In this Adventure in Etymology we fish for the origins of the word fish. Fish [fɪʃ] can refer to: A typically cold-blooded vertebrate animal that lives in water, moving with the help of fins and breathing with gills. Any animal (or any vertebrate) that lives exclusively in water. As a verb it can mean: To […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Turu (Kιnyatυrυ, Kιrιmi), a Bantu language spoken in the Singida Region in central Tanzania. Pnar (Ka Ktien Pnar), a Khasi-Palaungic language spoken in northeastern India and northeastern Bangladesh. Wenzi (LiWenzi), a Bantu language spoken in the Kigoma Region in northwestern Tanzania. Dimasa (Grao-Dima), […]

In this episode we discover the Celtic roots of words for kingdom, rich and related things in Germanic, Romance and other languages. The Proto-Celtic word *rīgyom means kingdom, and comes from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs (king). Related words in Proto-Celtic include *rīxs (king) and *rīganī (queen) [source] Related in the modern Celtic languages include: rí [ɾˠiː] = […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Shambala (Kisambaa), a Bantu language spoken in the Tanga Region in northern Tanzania. Suabo (nidáibo), a Trans-New Guinea language spoken in Southwest Papua Province in eastern Indonesia. Tongwe (Sitongwe), a Bantu language spoken in the Kigoma Region in northwestern Tanzania. New numbers pages: […]

What does the word while have to do with resting? Let’s find out in this Adventure in Etymology on Radio Omniglot. While [waɪl / wæl] as a noun means an uncertain duration of time, a period of time, or an uncertain long (or short) period of time. As a conjunction it means during that same […]

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Rangi (Kɨlaangi), a Bantu language spoken in the Kondoa District of the Dodoma Region in central Tanzania. Suabo (nidáibo), a Trans-New Guinea language spoken in Southwest Papua Province in eastern Indonesia. Oko (Ọ̀kọ), a Volta-Niger language spoken mainly in the Ogori-Magongo LGA in […]