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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
Etymology
English Language
Grammar
Language Evolution
Communication
Tibet
Linguistic Diversity
Language Oppression
Sociolinguistics
Language Origins
Sign Languages
Cognitive Linguistics
Social Media
Algospeak
Language Change
Linguistic Communication
Prehistory
Manikacha

A podcast about linguistics, the science of language.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes100Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Language LearningSocial SciencesScienceEducation

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Artwork for Because Language

Latest Episodes

Wherever Irish speakers in the world get together, you can have a "pop-up Gaeltacht"! And we're having one on this episode. We've got author and TG4 presenter Laura Pakenham taking us through the history and orthography of this great and resilient la... more

YouTube

What goes on in our minds when we construct an utterance? Linguists often use syntax trees to represent the structure of sentences, but are they psychologically real? Yngwie Nielsen and Dr Morten Christiansen have found evidence for something else: w... more

YouTube

What will happen to the languages of climate refugees? Dr Mary Walworth has been working with the small island community of Nusi in Papua New Guinea, which was recently featured in an episode of Pole to Pole with Will Smith. What's it like doing medi... more

YouTube

"More people have listened to this episode than you have." Why does this sentence look so right, but feel so wrong? When your grammar says one thing, but your brain says another, you may have found a linguistic illusion. We're talking to Dr Dan Parke... more

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Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Laura Pakenham
Author of Irish History and Culture Through Language, presenter on TG4
TG4, author of Irish History and Culture Through Language
Episode: 138: Pop-Up Gaeltacht (live with Laura Pakenham and friends)
Yngwie Nielsen
Researcher at Aarhus University, co-author on the discussed study
Aarhus University
Episode: 137: Are Trees Real? (with Yngwie Nielsen and Morten Christiansen)
Morten Christiansen
Researcher at Cornell University, co-author on the discussed study
Cornell University
Episode: 137: Are Trees Real? (with Yngwie Nielsen and Morten Christiansen)
Mary Walworth
Dr. at CNRS, language endangerment researcher
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
Episode: 136: These Languages Are Anchors (with Mary Walworth)
Dan Parker
Linguist, author of Linguistic Illusions
Ohio State University
Episode: 135: Linguistic Illusions (with Dan Parker)
Kory Stamper
Lexicographer, author of True Color
Merriam-Webster
Episode: 134: True Colour (with Kory Stamper)
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)

Hosts

Daniel Midgley
Host of the show; leads conversations on linguistics and language science
Hedvig Hurgard
Co-host and linguistics researcher; contributes on-language segments and discussion
Ben Ainsley
Educator and podcast co-host; provides accessible framing and humor

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 States6 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 Statesa year 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 States2 years 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
    2 years 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.

Listeners praise accessible, entertaining, and informative discussions about language.
Some critics call out overgeneralizations, but many appreciation-focused reviews highlight community aspects and learning value.
Guests and hosts are described as knowledgeable, funny, and engaging by many.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

134: True Colour (with Kory Stamper)
Q: What drew you to color as a lexicographic topic?
Kory explains that her fascination began with color definitions in dictionaries and grew as she saw how color terms are fought over and standardized in large reference works.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Because Language

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

A lively, accessible exploration of linguistics and language science, with hosts guiding conversations that mix rigorous topics with practical examples and personal anecdotes. Recent episodes cover everything from how language is represented in the brain and how accents shape identity to the role of media, technology, and culture in language evolution. Guests range from university researchers and authors to improvisational linguists and media contributors, providing both experimental insights and real-world perspectives. The show often blends classroom-style explanations with playful banter, making complex ideas approachable for educated listeners, students, educators, and language enthusiasts alike. Noteworthy traits include a strong empha... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Because Language?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Because Language:

1. Lingthusiasm - A podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics
2. The Allusionist
3. Lexicon Valley
4. Bad Gays
5. The History of English Podcast

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?

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What guests have appeared on Because Language?

Recent guests on Because Language include:

1. Laura Pakenham
2. Yngwie Nielsen
3. Morten Christiansen
4. Mary Walworth
5. Dan Parker
6. Kory Stamper
7. Dr. Valerie Fridland
8. Kelly Wright

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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