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Day: January 29, 2017

Why are there so many languages in the world?

By: | Post date: 2017-01-29 | Comments: No Comments
Posted in categories: General Language, Linguistics

Originally Answered: Why are there several languages in the world? Firstly, because we are not even sure that there was monogenesis of language. That is, we are not sure whether language originated in a single contiguous community of humans, or multiple communities. Second, because like all social phenomena, language is a dynamic system subject to […]

How does it feel for Greek kids when they learn their alphabet is an important part of maths?

By: | Post date: 2017-01-29 | Comments: No Comments
Posted in categories: Modern Greek, Writing Systems

The other answers are correct, but the question goes to something broader. Greek kids will sooner or later find out that a lot of mathematical and scientific symbols used in other languages are Greek, just as they find out that a lot of scientific vocabulary in other languages is Greek. How do they feel? Unsurprised. […]

Do you pronounce BMW as “bee em double-u” or as “bey em vey”?

By: | Post date: 2017-01-29 | Comments: No Comments
Posted in categories: English, Linguistics, Modern Greek

English: Bee Em Double You. Australian English: Beamer. Greek: well, Greek only referenced English as its default foreign language in the last generation. So it’s the German pronunciation: Beh Em Veh. (Μπε εμ βε) Cypriot Greek: from memory, Pemve (Πεμβέ) —/b/ is rendered in Cypriot Greek as /p/, since Cypriot Greek has a three way […]

Can anybody help with the Latin translation of “Showing up is the biggest step.”?

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Posted in categories: Latin, Linguistics

Apparere gradus maximus [est]. As always with these questions: no tattoo until you get a second opinion. Answered 2017-01-29 [Originally posted on http://quora.com/Can-anybody-help-with-the-Latin-translation-of-Showing-up-is-the-biggest-step/answer/Nick-Nicholas-5]