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Radio Omniglot

Simon Ager

Podcasts about languages and words

education language learning

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1:53

Adventures in Etymology – Discombobulation

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/07/26

In this Adventure in Etymology we investigate the word discombobulate. To discombobulate [ˌdɪs.kəmˈbɒb.jəˌleɪt] is: To throw into a state of confusion To befuddle or perplex. To upset or embarrass It was coined in the USA and first appeared in writing in around 1867 [source]. It is a fanciful mock-Latin term of a kind that was […]

en-GB

2:54

Omniglot News (20/07/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/07/20

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New phonetic script: Vniverall (Universal) Alphabet, which was created by Thomas Harriot in the 1580s as a way to write the Carolina Algonquian language. New constructed script: Ranting Mualang, which was created by Reza Sumanda as is a way to write Mualang, a Ibanic language spoken […]

en-GB

2:33

Celtic Pathways – Shovelling Oars

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/07/19

In this episode we uncover the Celtic roots of words for oar, to row and related things in Basque. The Proto-Celtic word *rāmyos means oar, spade or shovel and comes from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁reh₁- (to row) [source]. Descendants in the modern Celtic languages include: rámh [ɾˠɑːv] = oar in Irish ràmh [r̪ˠaːv] = oar, paddle […]

en-GB

2:34

Omniglot News (13/07/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/07/13

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New writing system: Khom Thai, a descendent of the Old Khmer script used mainly to write religious texts in Pali, Sanskrit, Khmer, Thai and Lao. From: Wikimedia Commons, from the wellcome collection New constructed script: Hunter × Hunter Alphabet (ハンター文字), an alternative script for Japanese created […]

en-GB

1:52

Adventures in Etymology – Enumerating Numbers

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/07/12

In this Adventure in Etymology we untangle the roots of the word number. A number [ˈnɐmbə(ɹ) / ˈnʌ̟mbɚ(ɹ)] is: Quantity An abstract entity used to describe quantity. A numeral: a symbol for a non-negative integer. An element of one of several sets: natural numbers, integers, rational numbers, etc other meanings are available It comes from […]

en-GB

2:26

Omniglot News (06/07/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/07/06

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: Talinga, a Northeast Bantu language spoken in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kobo (Kɨkobo) a Bantu language spoken in North Kivu Province in the northeast of the DRC. West Teke (Teke-Tsaayi), a Bantu language spoken in the south of the […]

en-GB

2:31

Celtic Pathways – Healing Medics

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/07/06

In this episode we discover the possible Celtic roots of words for doctor in some Germanic languages. The Proto-Celtic word *leigis means healer and either comes from Proto-Germaic *lēkiz (healing, medicine, healer), or directly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂leg- (to care for) [source]. Descendants in the modern Celtic languages include: lia [l̠ʲiə] = healer, physician in […]

en-GB

2:42

Omniglot News (29/06/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/06/29

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New writing system: Lai Tay, which was used to write Tai Yo, a Southwestern Tai langauge spoken in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. New language pages: Central Kilimanjaro, a Northeast Bantu language spoken mainly in Kilimanjaro Region in the northeast of Tanzania. Tetela (Ɔtɛtɛla) a Bantu language […]

en-GB

1:59

Adventures in Etymology – Minions

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/06/28

In this Adventure in Etymology we unravel the roots of the word minion. A minion [ˈmɪnjən] is: A loyal servant of another, usually a more powerful being. A sycophantic follower. A small, yellow creature that appears in the Despicable Me and Minions films. It used to mean: A loved one; one highly esteemed and favoured. […]

en-GB

2:43

Omniglot News (22/06/25)

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/06/22

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New writing system: Leke (Chicken Scratch) Script, a script created in the 19th century to write Karen languages in Myanmar and Thailand. New adapted script: Kannada for Tamil (ಕನ಼್ ನ಼ಡ ಎೞುತ್ತುಮುಱೈ), a way to write Tamil with the Kannada script devised by Aahan Kotian. New language […]

en-GB

2:10

Celtic Pathways – Cumbersome Confluences

Radio Omniglot ·

2025/06/21

In this episode we disencumber the cumbersome and confluent Celtic roots of words like encumber. The Proto-Celtic word *kombereti means to bring together and comes from Proto-Celtic *kom- (with, together) and *bereti (to bear), from PIE *bʰéreti (to be carrying) [source]. Descendants in the modern Celtic languages include: cumar = ravine, channel, rut in Irish […]

en-GB

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

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