Amongst the languages of the world, some are known for having an unusually large number of phonemic vowels in their phonological inventories, with one of the most popular examples being the Danish language, if we are discounting additional phonation types like breathiness. Today, I want to take a look in the other extreme, and try … Continue reading Are there languages with fewer than 2 phonemic vowels?
Afroasiatic
The Language in the Hottest Place on Earth
If I ask you what the hottest place on Earth is, your answer might probably be either Death Valley, or somewhere in the Middle East or North Africa. After all, these are the regions that have recorded the highest ever temperatures on the planet, with 56.7 degrees Celsius in Death Valley, and 54 degrees Celsius … Continue reading The Language in the Hottest Place on Earth
Writing in Africa — The Somalian Alphabets (Pt 2)
Previously, we covered the Osmanya alphabet created in the early 20th century meant to write and represent the Somali language. Its spread was unfortunately put to an end by the Italians, who suspected its proliferation to be part of a pro-independence movement. But this was not the only writing system to arise in that era, … Continue reading Writing in Africa — The Somalian Alphabets (Pt 2)
The Language Closet 