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Radio Omniglot

Simon Ager

Podcasts about languages and words

education language learning

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3:14

Omniglot News (15/06/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/06/15

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New writing system: Thirke Script, which was used in the 14th century in Kodagu in Karnataka, India. New language pages: Idaxo-Isuxa-Tiriki (Luidakho, Luisukha, Lutirichi), a Northwest Bantu language spoken mainly in Kakamega County in western Kenya. Baduy (Basa Baduy / Basa Sunda Kanékés’), a Sundanese-Baduy language […]

en-GB

2:12

Adventures in Etymology – Jots & Tittles

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/06/14

In this Adventure in Etymology we jot down a jot or two about jots (and tittles). A jot [ʤɒt / ʤɑt] is: The smallest letter or stroke of any writing; an iota. A small, or the smallest, amount of a thing; a bit, a whit. E.g. He didn’t care a jot for his work. A […]

en-GB

2:41

Omniglot News (08/06/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/06/08

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Bushong (Bushɔ́ɔ́ng), a Bantu language spoken in Kasai Province in the south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Guro, a Mande language spoken in the regions of Haut-Sassandra and Marahoué in central Ivory Coast. Bissa (Bɩsa), a Mande language spoken in mainly […]

en-GB

2:04

Celtic Pathways – Celtic Carpenters

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/06/07

In this episode we drill down to the Celtic roots of words for carpenter in English and other languages. The Proto-Celtic word *karbantos means (war) chariot or wagon and is possibly related to the Proto-Celtic word *korbos (wagon, basket). Beyond that, its origins are not known [source]. Descendants in the modern Celtic languages include: carbad […]

en-GB

3:20

Omniglot News (01/06/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/06/01

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Bambalang (Chrambo), a Grassfields Southern Bantoid language spoken in Cameroon. Bila (kiBila), a Bantu language spoken in Ituri Province in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Budu (Ɨbʉdhʉ), a Bantu language spoken in Orientale Province in the northeast of the […]

en-GB

2:00

Adventures in Etymology – Luxurious Locks

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/06/01

In this Adventure in Etymology we unlock connections between the words luxury and lock. As a adjective luxury [ˈlʌk.ʃə.ɹi / ˈlʌɡʒəɹi] can mean: Very expensive. Not essential but desirable and enjoyable and indulgent. As a noun luxury can mean: Very wealthy and comfortable surroundings. Something desirable but expensive. Something that is pleasant but not necessary […]

en-GB

2:15

Omniglot News (25/05/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/05/25

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Kebu (Kǝkpǝǝkǝ), a Kwa language spoken in southern Togo and southeastern Ghana. Bangubangu (Kibangubangu), a Bantu language spoken in the east and south the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Cherepon (Kyiripong), a Kwa language spoken in the Eastern Region of Ghana. New numbers […]

en-GB

2:05

Celtic Pathways – Cheesy Hills

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/05/24

In this episode, we uncover the possible Celtic roots of words for hillsides and rough scrub land in Romance languages. The Proto-Celtic words *brigā (hill, fortress) and *brixs (hill), both come from Proto-Indo-European *bʰérǵʰ-s (something high up, fortified) [source]. Related words in the modern Celtic languages include: brí [bʲɾʲiː] = brae, hill in Irish bre […]

en-GB

3:09

Omniglot News (18/05/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/05/18

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Nawdm (nawdm), a Gur language spoken in northern Togo and southern and eastern Ghana. Yom (Pila), a Gur language spoken in the Atacora, Borgou and Donga departments in the northwest of Benin. Akuapem, a variety of Akan spoken mainly in southern Ghana, and […]

en-GB

2:26

Adventures in Etymology – An Assembly of Things

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/05/17

This Adventure in Etymology is an assembly of words about the word thing, or something like that. Meanings of thing [θɪŋ] include: That which is considered to exist as a separate entity, object, quality or concept. A word, symbol, sign, or other referent that can be used to refer to any entity. An individual object […]

en-GB

2:41

Omniglot News (11/05/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/05/11

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Bujeba (Bisio), a Bantu language spoken in the Litoral Province in the west of Equatorial Guinea. Gyele (gyɛ̀lì), a Bantu language spoken in the Océan Department in the South Province of Cameroon. Kwasio, a Bantu language spoken along the coast of south western […]

en-GB

2:05

Celtic Pathways – Bearing Cradles

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/05/10

In this episode we discover the Celtic roots of words for cradle, crib and related things in Portuguese and other languages. The Proto-Celtic word *bereti means to carry or bear, and comes from Proto-Indo-European bʰéreti (to be carrying), from *bʰer- (to bear, carry) [source]. Related words in the modern Celtic languages include: beir [bʲɛɾʲ] = […]

en-GB

Omniglot News (04/05/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/05/04

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Masalit (Masaraa / Masarak), a Maban language spoken in southeastern Chad and southwestern Sudan. Maba (buraa mabaŋ / بُرَا مَبَݝ‎), a Maban language spoken mainly in Ouaddaï Province in southwestern Chad. Guerrero Nahuatl (Mēxihcatlācatl), an Aztecan (Nahuan) language spoken in the state of […]

en-GB

2:53

Adventures in Etymology – Spring

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/05/03

In this Adventure in Etymology, we find out where the word spring springs from. Spring blossom on my apple tree As a verb, spring [spɹɪŋ] can mean: To appear. To grow, to sprout. To arise, come into existence. To enliven. To move with great speed and energy. To leap over. It comes from Middle English […]

en-GB

2:31

Omniglot News (27/04/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/04/27

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Eastern Huasteca Nahuatl, an Aztec / Nahuan language spoken in the state of Veracruz in southern Mexico. Ngwii (Engwíí), a Bantu language spoken in Kwilu Province in the Democratic Repubic of the Congo. Njebi (Yinzèbi), a Bantu language spoken in southern Gabon and […]

en-GB

1:55

Celtic Pathways – Floors

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/04/26

In this episode we unearth the possible Celtic roots of words for field and related things in Galician and other languages. The Proto-Celtic word *ɸlārom means floor and comes from Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂ros (to be flat, from *pleh₂- (flat) [source]. Related words in the modern Celtic languages include: lár [l̪ˠɑːɾˠ] = ground, floor, middle, centre in […]

en-GB

2:19

Omniglot News (20/04/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/04/20

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Tai Yo (ไทญ้อ), a Southwestern Tai language spoken in Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Vili (Civili), a Bantu language spoken mainly in the Republic of the Congo, and also in Gabon and Angola. New adapted script: Vietnamese Arabic Script (چىٰٖ جاوي تيٛەٖڭ ۏیٔەٖط), a […]

en-GB

2:40

Adventures in Etymology – Theoretical Theatre

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/04/19

In this Adventure in Etymology, we find out what links the words theory and theatre. Theory [ˈθɪə.ɹi / ˈθɪ.ɹi] has a variety of meanings, including: A description of an event or system that is considered to be accurate. (sciences) A coherent statement or set of ideas that explains observed facts or phenomena and correctly predicts […]

en-GB

2:15

Omniglot News (13/04/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/04/13

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Yaka (Yiyáká), a Bantu language spoken mainly in Kwango Province in the southwest of the DRC. Yansi (kiBeembe), a Bantu language spoken in the south of the Republic of the Congo. Shatt (Caning), an Eastern Sudanic language spoken in South Kordofan Province in […]

en-GB

1:50

Celtic Pathways – Crooked Rims

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/04/13

In this episode we unravel the Celtic roots of words for wheel, rim and related things in French, Spanish and other languages. The Proto-Celtic word *kambitā means rim and comes from Proto-Celtic *kambos (twisted, crooked, bent), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱh₂embos (crooked), possibly from *(s)ḱamb- (bent, crooked) [source]. Related words in the modern Celtic languages include: camedd […]

en-GB

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