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Movies about language
All movies use language, therefore are about language in some way. Some movies, however, are more about language than others. Here I list three of them. Continue reading
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Transparency and persuasion in academia
In this post, I discuss two very problematic practices in reporting research methods and findings: sweeping methodological issues and limitations under the carpet and promoting a writing style that strategically pre-empts criticism. Continue reading
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Laughing is a serious matter
Laughter has been traditionally investigated as a by-product of humour. However, it can perform a variety of functions, including insulting, persuading, triggering both negative and positive emotions, and promoting, or hindering, ideas. In this post, I explore how written laughter is used in a combative and straight-talking Japanese web forum. Continue reading
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Quotes about language from “Dune” by Frank Herbert
Dune by Frank Herbert is not only an epic sci-fi novel, but it has a lot to say about language too. Continue reading
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Why linguistic “mistakes” are relevant for all the wrong reasons
In Japanese as well as in French, dominant language ideologies are pervasive, emotionally charged and functional to the maintenance of the “standard” variety. These ideologies can be accessed by looking at what people frame as linguistic “mistakes” and what are the consequences for who committed it. Continue reading
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My thoughts on 新敬語「マジヤバイっす」 ‘New honorifics maji yabai-ssu’
My thoughts on 新敬語「マジヤバイっす」‘New honorifics maji yabai-ssu’ by Nakamura Momoko. The book reveals how much we can learn from one of the shortest and most unassuming pieces of the Japanese language and introduces many theoretical concepts in an accessible way. Continue reading
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‘Sorry for your consideration’: where apologies blur into thanks
We often hear that “Japanese people apologise all the time”. But what if they simply use words that, in their English translations, are conventionally associated with apologies, with meanings other than being sorry? Continue reading
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On Will Smith apology video and why saying sorry can be tricky
In the era of social media, public apologies (and the public shaming that warranted them) are on the rise. Yet, we still know little about what makes a public apology effective and what people look at when evaluating someone else’s apology. Continue reading
About Me
My name is Eugenia Diegoli and I’m a linguist at the University of Bologna, where I received a PhD in Japanese language. I’m fascinated by language in all its forms: why it is the way it is, what we use it for, how it affects the way we perceive the world around us. Ultimately, what it can tell us about who we are. You can reach me at eugenia.diegoli2@unibo.it, or on social media 🧚🏽