Language
How to use mālō in everyday conversation - Samoa Language Week
Mālō, mālō, mālō, mālō and... mālō! RNZ social media reporter Faivaeselopepe Anric Sitanilei explains how we can incorporate the Samoan word 'mālō' into everyday conversation. Video
Pre-panel with Max Harris and Janet Wilson
Wallace and panellists Max Harris and Janet Wilson hear from associate professor at the University of Auckland's business school Bodo Lang who has spent his career studying and demystifying word of… Audio
The oddities of the English language
In Dr Arika Okrent's latest book, Highly Irregular: Why Tough, Through, and Dough Don't Rhyme - and Other Oddities of the English Language, the linguist examines the weirdness of the English language… Audio
Hokianga-London: Mahanga Mitchell taking Te Reo to the Globe
Kathryn speaks with an 18 year old from Hokianga, who translated Shakespeare into Te Reo and is now representing Aotearoa at the Globe. Mahanga Mitchell hadn't performed theatre, let alone… Audio
Does naming objects change our relationship with them?
Are you someone who gives things like your phone or car names? When we give things like cars or other important objects in our lives names, we change the way we interact with them, and we may be more… Audio
Greetings and Salutations
Charlotte Ryan is joined by Sociolingust, Julia De Bres who tonight will discuss with us 'Terms of Address'. What do you prefer Mrs or Miss? Mr or Bro? Are you Doctor - Do you use it? Do you prefer… Audio
Keith Kahn-Harris: the surprising journey spurred by Kinder eggs
London-based sociologist Dr Keith Kahn Harris has written about some weighty issues, including the heavy metal music scene and antisemitism, but his latest book sprang out of a fascination with the… Audio
Swear words and slurs - what's offensive on TV and radio?
Are New Zealanders' attitudes towards offensive language changing? A recent survey by the Broadcasting Standards Authority seems to suggest they might be. Audio
The Pre-Panel with Nick Leggett and Catherine Robertson
Panellists Nick Leggett and Catherine Robertson tell us what they've been thinking. Audio
The Panel with Stephen Jacobi and Jo McCarroll (Part 1)
Panellists Stephen Jacobi and Jo McCarroll discuss the opening of Tranmission Gully, Louisa Wall's marriage equality legacy, and the boardroom jargon that drives us crazy. Audio
The Pre-Panel with Stephen Jacobi and Jo McCarroll
Panellists Stephen Jacobi and Jo McCarroll tell us what they've been thinking. Audio
Cultish: The linguistic tricks cults use
What really drives people towards cults is language, says linguist Amanda Montell. Her new book Cultish: the Language of Fanaticism explores the linguistic patterns that cults and cult-like brands… Audio
Ann Goldstein: bringing Elena Ferrante to the English-speaking world
Ann Goldstein has been translating the work of celebrated Italian author Elena Ferrante for close to two decades. However, Goldstein has never met or even spoken to the pseudonymous author, and is… Audio
What language skills do new entrants need?
Speech and Language Therapist Christian Wright talks with Lynn Freeman about the language skills new entrants need to have a successful start to school. Audio
Reformed characters: How China changed its characters
Book review Kingdom of Characters. Cultural historian Jing Tsu's tale of the evolution of the Chinese script is a surprisingly wild ride.
How globalisation is causing languages to die out
Language is considered humankind's greatest achievement. But all over the world many indigenous languages are racing towards extinction not because they are simply dying out, but because they are… Audio
Language and the Five Senses
Sociolinguist and Senior Lecturer at Massey University, Dr. Julia De Bres takes a look at sensory linguistics - exploring the connections between language and the five senses. Audio
The whakapapa of a story from imagination to understanding, laid out by Lyttelton poet Ben Brown
Ben Brown (Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Koroki, Ngāti Paoa) speaks about the power of imagination and its deep roots in te ao Māori at the 2021 WORD Christchurch Festival. Audio
The Pre-Panel with Heather Roy and Raf Manji
Panellists Heather Roy and Raf Manji share what they have been thinking. We talk to Wendy Shaw from the New Zealand Geographic Board about rules around apostrophes in place names. Audio
Researchers unearth hippo's communication secrets
Researchers have unearthed the secrets of how hippopotamuses communicate, and it can get pretty messy.
A team of European-based scientists discovered the hippos can recognise each others' voices.
… Audio
