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Word of Mouth

BBC Radio 4
Language Acquisition
Linguistics
Irish Language
Aging
Communication
Word Order
Celtic Languages
Autism
Adjectives
Language
Arabic
Sanskrit
Michael Morpurgo
English Language
Language and Ageism
Connemara
Dingle Peninsula
Home Signs
Non-Verbal Communication
Animal Communication

Series exploring the world of words and the ways in which we use them

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes209Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Word of Mouth

Latest Episodes

Michael Rosen talks to Sophia Smith Galer about the languages we're losing. She's found that by the end of this century half of the world’s 7000 languages will be gone, and she's travelled across the world to meet both the people who are experiencing... more

Michael Rosen talks to Ione Georgakis from Tourette Action about about her personal and professional experience of Tourette Syndrome and vocal tics. How and why do tics happen, and what are some of the myths and misunderstandings around the syndrome?... more

Michael Rosen talks to linguist Teddy Mack about Vincy, a language rooted in English spoken on the Caribbean island of St Vincent, alongside standard English. But the English Teddy encountered when he moved to the UK proved to be very different (and ... more

Michael Rosen talks to James Geary about his lifetime obsession, aphorisms. These short, witty philosophical sayings have been coined by everyone from Emily Dickinson and James Baldwin to Hallmark, and even Michael's mum.

Produced for BBC Audio Bris... more

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Recent Guests

Sophia Smith Galer
Journalist, creator and broadcaster, author of How to Kill a Language
Book author
Episode: Language Extinction
Ione Georgakis
An occupational therapist and advocacy manager for Tourette Action.
Tourette Action
Episode: Tourette Syndrome
James Geary
Author of The World in a Phrase
Episode: Aphorisms: Sayings to Live By
Jennifer Cearns
Digital anthropologist from the University of Manchester
University of Manchester
Episode: Can AI be our friend?
Professor Tony Crowley
Professor at Leeds University School of English specializing in the politics and history of language
Leeds University
Episode: Scouse
Dr. Danny Bate
Linguist and author of "Why Q Needs U"
Episode: The Story of A-Z
Julia Donaldson
Famous children's author and former children's laureate known for her rhyming stories.
Episode: Julia Donaldson: A life in language
Derek Bousfield
Reader in Pragmatics and Communication at Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University
Episode: It's not what you say, it's how you say it
Dr. Catherine Laing
Senior Lecturer in Developmental Linguistics
University of York
Episode: Crash Bang Wallop: The Sound of Words

Host

Michael Rosen
Host of discussions on the exploration of language and its nuances, known for his engaging storytelling and insights.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 701 ratings
  • One of the very best.

    Clear and interesting. Excellent.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    R Dows
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • This was over two years ago. But so on point when I listened to it in August 2025

    Podcast Addict
    5
    6 months ago
  • This was over two years ago. But so on point when I listened to it in August 2025

    Podcast Addict
    5
    WiltshireWizard
    6 months ago
  • Mary M

    No! The Full Stop Must Not Die! You must have respect for the language. Without punctuation clarity is lost. Speak however sloppily you wish, but do not kill coherence and beauty.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    H-o-W
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Shhh!

    •EPISODE: “Susie Dent’s World of Words” in which the guest is rendered redundant by the host’s interruptions and self-referencing stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    (Gibberer)
    Australiaa year ago

Listeners Say

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

The show is regarded as a reliable resource for anyone interested in language, often compared favorably to academic discussions for its accessibility and engagement.
There are occasional criticisms related to pacing or specific episode focus, but the overall reception leans toward positivity about the content's quality and relevance.
Listeners appreciate the depth and engagement of discussions, often finding them both informative and entertaining.
Many express gratitude for the insightful take on language and how it interconnects with personal and societal themes.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Language Extinction
Q: What would you like to happen?
Sophia wishes for more access to better funded mother tongue and heritage language education in the UK and support for languages that are in danger of disappearing.
Language Extinction
Q: How many languages are there in the world right now?
Sophia mentions that there are over 7,000 living languages currently.
Language Extinction
Q: So tell me about your grandmother's language.
Sophia explains that her nonna spoke a different language, not standard Italian, from a valley in the Apennines, indicating more linguistic diversity than she had realized.
Language Extinction
Q: Can we begin by talking about your grandmother, your nonna and her influence on your work?
Sophia discusses her grandmother's migration from Piacenza to London after World War II and the influence it had on her life and work regarding language.
Tourette Syndrome
Q: Do you feel forced to explain at that point? Do you say, excuse me?
It depends on the situation, but often I try to educate people about Tourette's.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Word of Mouth

What is Word of Mouth about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the intricate world of words and language, this series offers a thoughtful examination of various linguistic topics and their broader implications within society and culture. Featuring guests from diverse backgrounds, listeners can expect engaging discussions on children's literature, courtroom language, the nuances of communication, the significance of preserving cultural languages, and the evolution of both spoken and written forms of expression. With a blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and expert insights, the series seems to uniquely cater to language enthusiasts and those interested in the art of effective communication.

Where can I find podcast stats for Word of Mouth?

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How many subscribers and views does Word of Mouth have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Word of Mouth?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Word of Mouth:

1. More or Less
2. Great Lives
3. The Life Scientific
4. This Cultural Life
5. The Food Programme

How many episodes of Word of Mouth are there?

Word of Mouth launched 12 years ago and published 209 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 Word of Mouth?

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 Word of Mouth?

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What guests have appeared on Word of Mouth?

Recent guests on Word of Mouth include:

1. Sophia Smith Galer
2. Ione Georgakis
3. James Geary
4. Jennifer Cearns
5. Professor Tony Crowley
6. Dr. Danny Bate
7. Julia Donaldson
8. Derek Bousfield

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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