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Artwork for Because Language

Because Language - a podcast about linguistics, the science of language.

Daniel Midgley, Ben Ainslie, and Hedvig Skirgård
Linguistics
Language
Grammar
Language Origins
Prehistory
Misinformation
Cultural Evolution
Communication
Education
Subject-Verb Agreement
Social Media Polls
Etymology
Trans-Inclusive Language
Lexicography
Social Interaction
Homo Erectus
Neanderthals
Linguistic Diversity
Cognitive Linguistics
Gender Identity

A podcast about linguistics, the science of language.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes100Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Language LearningEducationSocial SciencesScience

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Artwork for Because Language

Latest Episodes

We all have an accent — or several! And we use them to communicate things about us, and highlight aspects of our identity. So what's going on with the accents we hear? Are we losing some accents, or are they just changing? Dr Valerie Fridland is the ... more

YouTube

We're talking to Dr Kelly Wright, friend of the show and data czar for the American Dialect Society. They run the biggest and most prestigious Word of the Year event, and she was there when the 2025 WotY votes came in. She's talking us through all th... more

YouTube

Video for this episode: youtu.be/Mqf05kN-TaI

It's Word of the Year season, and we're counting down our Words of the Week of the Year! In the time-honoured tradition, we gathered them all up from our 2025 shows, and let everyone vote. And we... more

YouTube

You know the story. The language you speak doesn't determine your savings. If your language has a future tense, there's no impact on the way you see or describe the future. Language and perception are separate.

Well, maybe it's time to revisit this... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Dr. Valerie Fridland
Professor of Linguistics at University of Nevada, Reno, author
University of Nevada, Reno
Episode: 133: Why We Talk Funny (with Valerie Fridland)
Kelly Wright
Expert in linguistics and contributor to the American Dialect Society's Word of the Year vote
American Dialect Society
Episode: 132: WotY 2025, the Final Word (with Kelly Wright)
Dr. Séan Roberts
Researcher focused on linguistics and perception.
Cardiff University
Episode: 130: Back to the FTR (with Séan Roberts, Cole Robertson, and Annemarie Verkerk)
Dr. Cole Robertson
Expert in linguistics and large language models.
Radboud University and Emory University
Episode: 130: Back to the FTR (with Séan Roberts, Cole Robertson, and Annemarie Verkerk)
Madeleine Beekman
Professor Emerita at the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
Episode: 129: They Started It: Children and Language Evolution (with Madeleine Beekman)
Natan Last
Crossword constructor and author
The New Yorker and The New York Times
Episode: 128: Across the Universe (with Natan Last)
Maia Chao
Visual artist focused on linguistics and performance
Episode: 127: Oh (with Maia Chao, Kelly Wright, and Caitlin Green)
Martha Barnette
Linguist and co-host of A Way With Words
A Way With Words
Episode: 125: Friends With Words (live with Martha Barnette and friends)
Adam Aleksic
Linguist, science communicator, and author of Algospeak
Episode: 124: Algospeak (with Adam Aleksic)

Hosts

Daniel Midgley
Host and linguist, known for facilitating engaging discussions about language and linguistics while connecting with a broad audience.
Hedvig Skirgård
Co-host with a focus on integrating artistic insights into linguistic discussions, bringing a unique perspective that makes the content relatable and entertaining.
Ben Ainsley
Co-host who adds humor and accessibility to the show, effectively engaging listeners and making linguistic topics approachable through entertaining anecdotes.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 323 ratings
  • Excellent!

    I’ve loved this podcast for a long time! So much fun

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    W Nelly
    United States4 months ago
  • Juvenile Nonsense

    I could barely make it through half an episode of this drivel. The host is embarrassingly uninformed and seems more worried about virtue signaling than actually understanding how language works.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    noname2771
    United States9 months ago
  • I adore this podcast!

    I teach linguistics and recommend it to my students who also love it! The Patreon community is fantastic! This is my nerd tribe. 🤓

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AAMC544
    United Statesa year ago
  • Quality production with pro level hosts at keeping the conversation engaging, without veering off into unrelated topics. They seamlessly transition between segments, creating a laid-back atmosphere: it feels like you're just hanging out with friends. As a non linguist, I appreciate how the hosts & guests break down complex topics in a way that is easy to grasp. They strike the perfect balance between informative & approachable, never coming across as condescending or preachy.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Kade
    a year ago
  • Best Sci Coms on the Internet

    Now that I am out of college but pre-grad school, I found it hard to keep up with the state of the field. I felt as if y’all were heaven sent when I stumbled upon your podcast. Y’all are amazing science communicators, give real times updates on the latest science, and are overall hilarious. Also y’all have awesome politics. It’s like can we be friends?? Anyway, I feel like I just learn so much from y’all as a budding linguist, educator, and science communicator myself. As I like to tell my stude... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nati (nɑtɪ)
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

There are mixed reactions: while many find the episodes enlightening and entertaining, some criticize the podcast for its casual approach to serious topics.
Listeners appreciate the clever blend of humor and informative linguistic discussions, making complex topics enjoyable and relatable.
The engaging chemistry between the hosts fosters a sense of community among listeners and encourages discourse around language.
The podcast's focus on contemporary language issues resonates particularly well with younger audiences, leading to a loyal listener base.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

130: Back to the FTR (with Séan Roberts, Cole Robertson, and Annemarie Verkerk)
Q: Cole, could you tell us what you're into?
I have a fairly eclectic background and did a master's in cognitive and evolutionary anthropology.
130: Back to the FTR (with Séan Roberts, Cole Robertson, and Annemarie Verkerk)
Q: Séan, could you tell us a little about what you've been doing?
I'm really interested in methods, particularly statistical methods and sort of big data stuff.
124: Algospeak (with Adam Aleksic)
Q: What can we learn about the algorithm? What have you learned about these methods that you need to adhere to if you want your material to be shown at all?
You have to do edutainment. There's no other way to spread your message as content seeks entertainment to go viral.
123: Conscious Language (with Karen Yin)
Q: Have you ever had a time when you disagreed with someone on some point?
Yes, it happens all the time, and I may or may not point it out depending on the situation.
121: Learning from LLMs (with Adele Goldberg)
Q: How do large language models mitigate biases?
They are trained to avoid stereotypes and hateful language by employing human feedback on what constitutes helpful responses.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Frequently Asked Questions About Because Language

What is Because Language about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A dynamic exploration of linguistics that encompasses various aspects of language, cultural evolution, humor, and social implications. Each episode often features a blend of expert guests who contribute their insights on topics such as language change, communication strategies, and the evolving nature of language in response to contemporary issues, including technology and social media. The hosts engage the audience with a mix of scholarly discussions and entertaining commentary, making complex linguistic concepts accessible to a broader audience.

Unique in its approach, the content merges academic rigor with a conversational style, allowing both casual listeners and linguistic enthusiasts to connect with the material. Themes like language... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Because Language?

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How many listeners does Because Language get?

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What are the audience demographics for Because Language?

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How many subscribers and views does Because Language have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Because Language has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Because Language?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Because Language:

1. 99% Invisible
2. Articles of Interest
3. Sidedoor
4. Radiolab
5. Ologies with Alie Ward

How many episodes of Because Language are there?

Because Language launched 15 years ago and published 100 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 Because Language?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Because Language?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Because Language from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Because Language?

Recent guests on Because Language include:

1. Dr. Valerie Fridland
2. Kelly Wright
3. Dr. Séan Roberts
4. Dr. Cole Robertson
5. Madeleine Beekman
6. Natan Last
7. Maia Chao
8. Martha Barnette

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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