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News archive

Language news from across the online press (including BBC News) on language, accents and dialects between January 2005 and December 2006.

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Cornish language promise broken
Furious campaigners accuse ministers of reneging on a promise to promote Cornish language lessons in schools in an act of "blatant hypocrisy".
(Western Morning News, 18th January 2005)
 
Up for assault and pattery; court workers get accent guide
Highland court transcribers have been issued with a Glasgow patter dictionary to help them understand witnesses and suspects.
(Daily Record, 15th January 2005)
 
Connery's accent is UK favourite
Sean Connery's Scottish lilt is the nation's favourite accent, a survey of people for a BBC project suggests.
(BBC News, 17th January 2005 )
 
I say I say I say
Yes, yes, yes - there are many ways to repeat yourself. Some are more meaningful than others, says a clever linguist in the Netherlands.
(Guardian Unlimited, January 11th 2005)
 
The next Welsh speaker to arrive at the rail call centre is a Geordie
Welsh-speakers are needed to help out at a Welsh language call centre because inquiries are directed...to Newcastle.
(IC Wales, 11th January 2005)
 
Forked tongues
The limits of my language are the limits of my world, according to Wittgenstein. Now Chile is taking the philosopher at his word, with a nationwide attempt to turn its 15 million citizens into English speakers.
(Guardian Unlimited, 10th January 2005)
 
Club's 'bona' way to communicate
A secret gay slang coined in the 1950s when homosexuality was still illegal in the UK is enjoying a renaissance at a London nightclub.
(BBC News, 8th January 2005)
 
Fool the Grockles with that Somerset dialect!
A new initiative has been launched to collect and preserve old Somerset dialect words before it's too late.
(Western Daily Press, 6th January 2005)
 
Welsh to appear in all passports
The Welsh language will appear in all UK passports, the minister for the language Alun Pugh has announced.
(BBC News, 26th January 2005)
 
In defence of 'lost' languages
Of the 6,000-odd languages in the world, one is said to disappear every fortnight. Should the English-speaking world care?
(BBC News, 19th January 2005)
 
What's in a word? Often, a whole culture
What does it mean to speak another language?
(International Herald Tribune, 6th January 2005)
 


Giein translations for a doric play? Gie's a break
My mither tongue! a bairn at schule In English, buiks I read.
(The Press and Journal, 21st February 2005)
 
Bay's dialects slowly dying*
As city encroaches and watermen leave, linguists try to preserve vernacular.
(Washington Post, 19th February 2005)
 
Sideways helps spread wine jargon
The word "pinot", used repeatedly in wine-tasting comedy Sideways, has topped a US poll of showbusiness words influencing the English language.
(BBC News, 17th February 2005)
 
RAF staff getting Arabic lessons
Staff at a top RAF base are being offered courses in Arabic language and culture prior to Middle East postings.
(BBC News, 17th February 2005)
 
Wanted badly: Arabic speakers
After September 11, training soars for diplomats and academics
(International Herald Tribune, 15th February 2005)
 
Gaelic first for new UK passports
UK passports are to include details in Scottish Gaelic for the first time, it has been confirmed.
(BBC News, 7th February 2005)
 
Japan fears polite speech on wane
Japanese people need help to brush up on their polite language, a government panel has proposed.
(BBC News, 4th February 2005)
 
Online directory recognises regional dialect
Need a new pair of "gutties", a "stotty" shop or at the end of a night a "Ruby Murray"?
(Newcastle Chronicle and Journal, 4th February 2005)
 
Languages in schools 'in decline'
French and German lessons are in "chronic decline", with too many students dropping languages altogether at age 16, a study warns.
(BBC News, 28th February 2005)
 
Academic swears by language shift
A cultural commentator says the growing trend of swearing among celebrities is part of the evolution of language.
(BBC News, 25th February 2005)
 
Big fall in university languages
There has been a "marked decline" in the number of students studying modern languages, according to a report for the government.
(BBC News, 25th February 2005)
 
Why do I sound Brummie?
When ITV recreated planespotter Garry Fagan's stay in a Greek prison they made every effort to get the little things right. However, the accent was more Wolverhampton than Wigston.
(Leicester Mercury, 23rd February 2005)
 
Police launch interpretor service
Devon and Cornwall Police are offering non-English speaking people a new telephone service.
(BBC News, 22nd February 2005)
 
Italy angry at EU language curbs
Italy has complained at EU Commission plans to drop Italian translation from some of its press briefings.
(BBC News, 21st February 2005)
 
Gaelic bill secures MSPs' support
MSPs have unanimously given their support to a bill which would give the Gaelic language official status.
(BBC News, 2nd February 2005)
 
news archive

August 2005
Icelanders speak up for languages
East End Cockney accent 'fading'
Muslims 'want surmons in English'
More...

September 2005
Manx Gaelic revival 'impressive'
UK 'loves languages after all'
Tingo, nakkele and other wonders
More...

January 2006
Web to preserve Romani heritage
Mind your PMQs? It's eff this and eff that
The C word
More...

August 2006
Armageddon isn't upon us
Tongue-tied
Why are fewer students choosing to study foreign languages at GCSE?
More...

January 2005
February 2005
March 2005
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September 2005
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November 2005
December 2005
January 2006
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April 2006
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June 2006
July 2006
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September 2006
October 2006
November 2006
December 2006



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