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Lexicon Valley

Lexicon Valley
Language Evolution
English Language
Linguistics
Etymology
Openly Racist
Language
Proto-Indo-European
Indo-European Language Family
Civil Rights
Racism
Pronouns
Ukrainian Language
Black English
John F. Kennedy
Societal Attitudes
Angler
Fishing
Fishing Hooks
Bible
Southside

A podcast about language, with hosts Mike Vuolo, Bob Garfield and John McWhorter.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes401Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureEducation

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Lexicon Valley

Latest Episodes

One man's quest to dub Disney's "The Lion King" into the indigenous Quechuan language; an interview with filmmaker Augusto Zegarra, director of the documentary "Runa Simi."

Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 318: "Mufasa, ... more

In Part II of our interview with author Sophia Smith Galer, "shared language erosion" — when members of an immigrant family can no longer communicate fluently with each other — and the true cost of letting a language die.

Visit Lexicon Valley. A Boo... more

From Ukraine to Maori to Emilian, a conversation with author Sophia Smith Galer about language suppression, revitalization and death.

Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 316: "How to Kill a Language, Part I." With Bob Garfi... more

An investigation into the nuclear origins of "bang for the buck." Plus, we get buck-naked!

Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 315: "Bang for the Buck." With Bob Garfield and Mike Vuolo. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. P... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Augusto Zegarra
Filmmaker, writer and producer; director of Runa Simi
Episode: Mufasa, Simba, Fercho and Dylan
Sophia Smith Galer
Journalist and author of How to Kill a Language
Episode: How to Kill a Language, Part II
Sophia Smith-Galer
Journalist and author of How to Kill a Language
Episode: How to Kill a Language, Part I
SL Huang
Hugo Award-winning author of speculative and science fiction; MIT-educated mathematician; firearms expert and stunt performer
Author of The Language of Liars
Episode: The Language of Liars
Ben Zimmer
Linguist
Linguist, language journalist
Episode: Get One's Goat
Kristen Flynn Goodwin
Senior cybersecurity lawyer focused on threat intelligence
Microsoft
Episode: The G.O.A.T.
Stefan Fatsis
Author of Unabridged, The Thrill of and Threat to the Modern Dictionary
Author, Unabridged
Episode: How Do Words Get into the Dictionary?
Derek Guy
Writer about men's clothing at Put This On
Put This On
Episode: Derek Guy on the Language of Clothing
Fiona McPherson
Executive Editor on the New Words Team for the Oxford English Dictionary
Oxford English Dictionary
Episode: All the Rage Bait

Hosts

Mike Vuolo
Host of Lexicon Valley; long-time presenter with a focus on language evolution and witty banter.
Bob Garfield
Co-host with a penchant for accessible linguistic explorations and lively banter.
John McWhorter
Renowned linguist contributing frequent, well-informed insights and occasional guest-host duties.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • fun and nerdy (that's a compliment!)

    really love bob and mike and i'm listening again now that they're back

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    @AB72
    United Statesa month ago
  • Holds my interest!

    This is a wonderful podcast that holds my interest. I wait for every podcast drop!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RubyClaireX
    United States4 months ago
  • I mean like

    Shows aight. Fun words n stuff ya know?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eclectic Nightmare
    United States4 months ago
  • Yay Bob & Mike are finally back!

    Their humor and banter is the absolute best, I’m so, so, so happy they’ve returned. I’ve been missing their show so much when they took a hosting break 9? years ago. Yay!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LanguageNerrd
    United States6 months ago
  • Overall, Solid

    Here I add my voice to those of many others who feel that this show was better during the period of time when John McWhorter was the host of the show. While it’s technically true that this show is “about language,” it’s more accurate to say that this show is about etymology; at least, that’s the focus of its current hosts. The show was indeed more about language itself when Professor McWhorter was the full-time host. McWhorter sometimes incorporated etymology into his episodes, but he mostly tal... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Kekoapono
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many miss John McWhorter's full-time hosting and his etymology-driven episodes.
The show is valued for accessible yet rigorous language analysis; some prefer more frequent McWhorter presence.
Listeners praise deep linguistic insight and engaging host chemistry.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Mufasa, Simba, Fercho and Dylan
Q: Did you yourself think that Fercho had a chance in hell of securing the rights to redub a $2 billion Hollywood property?
Zegarra thought Fercho had a chance, though he considered it slim.
Mufasa, Simba, Fercho and Dylan
Q: The story is about Fercho pursuing the unlikely goal of producing a Quechua version of Disney's mega hit movie, The Lion King. But that project actually began on a much smaller scale. Can you tell me about his short videos?
After seeing children watch a film without understanding much of its story, Fernando began dubbing short scenes into Quechua. He used popular films to draw attention to the language and the need for Quechua content.
How to Kill a Language, Part II
Q: Aren't first-generation language converts, voluntary or otherwise, similarly at pains to fully express themselves? Aren't they in their assimilated tongue literally less themselves?
Smith Galer agrees and discusses shared language erosion in multigenerational families. She describes how her grandmother could not read English bills and had fewer relatives with whom she could speak her dialect, leaving her increasingly isolated.
How to Kill a Language, Part II
Q: From an economic point of view, language assimilation may sacrifice discrete knowledge, but give speakers access to vastly more learning in culture and economic opportunity hitherto inaccessible. Should that not be weighed in the impetus to mourn indigenous losses?
Smith Galer argues that people can learn a lingua franca and still retain their mother tongue. She says nationalism and empire have promoted language uniformity because linguistic diversity was seen as harder to control.
How to Kill a Language, Part I
Q: What do you think is the most successful way to restore the number of speakers of a language that is going dormant?
She points to autonomy, sustained funding, cultural awareness and language rights, alongside Māori language nests where fluent elders teach preschool children who continue receiving instruction as they grow.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lexicon Valley

What is Lexicon Valley about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A language-centered show led by a trio of hosts exploring how words, meanings, and linguistic history travel through culture. Episodes weave etymology, philology, and playful banter with deep dives into specific terms, phrases, and language phenomena, often anchored by literary references, pop culture clips, and thoughtful analyses of how meaning shifts over time. Notable strengths include rigorous linguistic detective work presented in an accessible way, a lively dynamic among longtime hosts, and a willingness to tackle both traditional etymology and contemporary usage. The format often blends historical exploration with modern examples, making it appealing to word nerds, students of language, and listeners who enjoy thoughtful, humorous d... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Lexicon Valley?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Lexicon Valley:

1. The Gist
2. Political Gabfest
3. Lingthusiasm - A podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. On the Media

How many episodes of Lexicon Valley are there?

Lexicon Valley launched 5 years ago and published 401 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Lexicon Valley?

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What guests have appeared on Lexicon Valley?

Recent guests on Lexicon Valley include:

1. Augusto Zegarra
2. Sophia Smith Galer
3. Sophia Smith-Galer
4. SL Huang
5. Ben Zimmer
6. Kristen Flynn Goodwin
7. Stefan Fatsis
8. Derek Guy

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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