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Artwork for Word of Mouth

Word of Mouth

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes202Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Word of Mouth

Latest Episodes

Julia Donaldson, author of The Gruffalo and many other beloved children's books, tells Michael Rosen about her own writing, reading, speaking and listening. Her childhood experiences were a big influence, as was busking in Paris and writing songs whi... more

Michael Rosen on the linguistic comfort food of clichés, pragmatics and how we use language to connect us beyond the actual words used. Derek Bousfield explains how words do more than carry meaning: context governs what we say and how it’s understood... more

The 'Manosphere' is a group of loosely affiliated mainly young males who have developed a specialised vocabulary to discuss women online in a negative and hostile way. Some of the vocabulary is a response to feminism which some men claim is diminishi... more

Michael Rosen is joined by linguist Dr Catherine Laing to discuss onomatopoeia and other words that sound like their meanings. Not just words for sounds like 'crash' and 'bang', or words for animal noises like 'woof' and 'quack', but also other words... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

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
Joanna Hardy-Susskind
Criminal Defence Barrister
Episode: How to Persuade a Courtroom
Samantha Ellis
Author of 'Chopping Onions on My Heart', exploring cultural history and language.
Episode: Keeping My Family's Language Alive
Jonathan Cole
Consultant in Clinical Neurophysiology and author of "Hard Talk When Speech Is Difficult"
University Hospitals Dorset and Bournemouth University
Episode: Speech difficulties
Dr. Haru Yamada
Socio-linguist and author of Kiku, The Japanese Art of Good Listening
Episode: The Art of Listening
Laura Spinney
Science journalist and author of Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global.
Episode: The language that changed the world
Dr. Christian Ilbury
Lecturer in sociolinguistics at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
Episode: The End of the Full Stop?

Host

Michael Rosen
Host of discussions exploring language, culture, and societal implications with various experts and guests.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 692 ratings
  • One of the very best.

    Clear and interesting. Excellent.

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

    Podcast Addict
    5
    WiltshireWizard
    2 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 Kingdom5 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)
    Australia9 months ago
  • THE GOAT

    Really interesting and great for the elderly. Michel Rosen is great for these kind of things.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Great and the goat
    Australiaa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the intelligent, thought-provoking discussions that dive deep into linguistic topics and often find them educational and engaging.
Many reviews highlight the charming and insightful presentation by the host, often citing the seamless integration of personal stories with expert knowledge.
Overall, the series is regarded as a valuable resource for those passionate about language, culture, and communication.
There are mentions of some episodes not meeting expectations due to either pacing or guest dynamics, indicating a mixed experience depending on personal preferences.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#102
India/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#242
Chile/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

It's not what you say, it's how you say it
Q: Why do we use clichés?
Clichés are used in conversation to signal connections and shared understanding among speakers and to convey meaning efficiently.
It's not what you say, it's how you say it
Q: Can you give an example related to greetings?
In British English, when we say, "how are you?", we don't actually want to know about someone's health; it's a form of greeting.
It's not what you say, it's how you say it
Q: What is pragmatics?
Pragmatics is the study of how what we say and what we mean can often be two very different things, focusing on how language is used beyond literal meanings.
The Language of the Manosphere
Q: How does the language associated with the Manosphere indicate power dynamics?
The language used in the Manosphere often reflects a broader societal sexism and explores themes of male oppression in response to feminism.
The Language of the Manosphere
Q: When did the Manosphere start?
The Manosphere is usually dated to the 2010s, becoming more popular after the phenomenon known as Gamergate.

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 Word of Mouth

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

Exploring the intricacies of language and its various forms, the content focuses on topics that span from the evolution of words and sound to the social implications of linguistics. Episodes often feature expert guests who provide insights into the structure, history, and usage of language in both everyday and cultural contexts. Notable themes include the preservation of endangered languages, the dynamics of courtroom language, and the subtleties of polite communication, making it particularly engaging for anyone interested in the intersection of language with identity, culture, and society at large. This series is unique in its ability to bridge personal anecdotes with scholarly exploration, creating an accessible yet intellectually stimul... more

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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: Behind the Stats
2. Great Lives
3. Sliced Bread
4. Start the Week
5. Last Word

How many episodes of Word of Mouth are there?

Word of Mouth launched 11 years ago and published 202 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Word of Mouth?

Recent guests on Word of Mouth include:

1. Julia Donaldson
2. Derek Bousfield
3. Dr. Catherine Laing
4. Joanna Hardy-Susskind
5. Samantha Ellis
6. Jonathan Cole
7. Dr. Haru Yamada
8. Laura Spinney

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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