Why is English always changing—and why does that change so often make us uneasy? In this fascinating conversation, we're joined by linguist, author, and University of Michigan Dean Professor Anne Curzan to explore how English evolves, who influences that change, and what our reactions to new words and usages reveal about culture, identity, and power.
Anne shares insights from her latest book Says Who? A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words, and unpacks everything from the rise of pronouns and slang to the hidden rules behind texting, emojis, and intensifiers like “super.” Along the way, Anne explains why dictionaries don’t tell us how to use language—they reflect how we already use it.
Whether you’re a dedicated word-lover, a reformed “grammando,” or simply curious about how English works, this episode offers a lively, accessible look at the stories behind the way we speak today.
In This Episode
- Why language change can feel unsettling—and why it shouldn’t
- The origins of words like grammando and wordie
- Americanisms in the UK and Britishisms making their way into the US
- Why prescriptive grammar rules (like not ending sentences with prepositions) often don’t reflect how English actually works
- How kids naturally acquire grammar—and what their “mistakes” teach us
- What dictionaries really do (and don’t do)
- How texting, punctuation, and emojis function as a new kind of tone and gesture
- The evolution of singular they—and why it’s not a modern invention
- Why language is more like fashion than we think
- How technological change and global contact influence the pace of language evolution
About Anne Curzan
Professor Anne Curzan is the Geneva Smitherman Collegiate Professor of English, Linguistics, and Education at the University of Michigan, where she also served as the dean of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts from 2019 - 2024. Her most recent book is Says Who? A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words (2024).
Resources & Links
- Book: Says Who? A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words
- Anne’s website: (https://annecurzan.com/)
Question or comment? Send us a text message.
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