Radio Omniglot

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: * Zeme, a Kuki-Chin-Naga language spoken in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland in the northeast of India. * Borong, a Western Huon language spoken in Morobe Province of Papua New Guinea. * Boko, an Eastern Mande language spoken in northern Benin and northern and western Nigeria. * Vatlongos, a Southern Oceanic lang

In this episode we look into the possble Celtic roots of words for witch in some Romance languages. The Proto-Celtic word *brixtā means spell, magical formula or incantation. It possibly comes from PIE *bʰerHǵ- (enlighten) [source]. Related words in the modern Celtic languages include: * briocht = charm, spell, amulet in Irish * lled(f)rith = magic, spell, charm, enchantment,

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New language pages: * Lakon, a Southern Oceanic language spoken on Gaua Island in Torba Province of Vanuatu. * Maléku (malécu jaíca) – a Chibchan language spoken in northern Costa Rica. * Kadiwéu (Ejiwajigi) – a Guaicuruan language spoken in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul in southern Brazil * Mocoví (moqoit) &

In this Adventure in Etymology we free ourselves by looking into the word escape. Escape [ɪˈskeɪp / əˈskeɪp] can mean: * To get free; to free oneself. * To avoid (any unpleasant person or thing); to elude, get away from * To avoid capture; to get away with something, avoid punishment * To elude the observation or notice of; to not be seen or remembered by It comes from Mid

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. New writing system: Sheek Bakrii Saphaloo Script, which was created in 1956 by Sheikh Bakri Sapalo from Ethiopia, and is used to write Oromo, a Cushitic language spoken in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Egypt. New fictional script: Exception, which appears in the Netflix anime series “Exception”. New constructed scr

In this episode we find connections between Celtic bills and beaks, and chisels and gouges in other languages. A gouge [ɡaʊdʒ] is a chisel with a curved blade for cutting or scooping channels, grooves, or holes in wood, stone, etc. The word comes from Middle English gouge (gouge), from Old French gouge (gouge), from Late Latin goia / gu(l)bia (chisel, piercer), from Gaulish *g

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. There are new language pages about: * Bhaca (isiBhaca) – a Southern Bantu language spoken in Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. * Ulumandaʼ – a South Sulawesi language spoken in West Sulawesi Province in Indonesia. * Bambam– a South Sulawesi language spoken in West Sulawesi Province in Indonesia. New num

In this Adventure in Etymology we look into the word landlubber, and related words in English and other languages. A landlubber [ˈlænd.lʌ.bə / ˈlænd.lʌ.bɚ] is: * Someone unfamiliar with the sea or seamanship, especially a novice seaman. It comes from lubber (a big, clumsy, stupid fellow who lives in idleness), from Middle English lobre (lazy lout) from lobbe (a lump), or

Here’s the latest news from the world of Omniglot. There are new language pages about: * Teanu – an Oceanic language spoken on Vanikoro Island in Temotu Province in the east of the Solomon Islands. * Nanggu (Engdewu) – an Oceanic language spoken on the island of Nendö in Temotu province in the east of the Solomon Islands. * Uneapa (Uniapa) – an Oceanic langua

In this episode we discover the Celtic power behind some vigorous Romance and English words. The English word brio [ˈbɹiːoʊ] means vigour or vivacity. When used in musical directions, as con brio, it means with spirit, with vigour, vivciously [source]. It comes from Italian brio (vivacity, liveliness), from Spanish brío (vigour, mettle, zest, zeal), from Old Occitan briu (wi