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Why Do These Words Get Mispronounced So Much?

Season 4 Episode 2 | 8m 32s

We all love language but still sometimes we pronounce certain words wrong, and everyone does it. We’re not talking about speaking too fast or jumbling letters. We’re talking about good ol’ fashioned mispronunciations–things you didn’t know you were saying wrong. But how do they happen? And why are they not as wrong as people think?

Aired: 02/21/24
Extras
What is the best tool for cult leaders to control other people? It’s the power of language.
Headlines have sprung up all over declaring that the Southern American dialect is on its way out.
Why do we use such unusual words for the people we love?
Let’s dig deep and find out why certain names simply fall out of fashion.
Linguists use language everyday to solve crimes. Let’s take a look the most famous ones!
Join us as we find out how certain places got their names.
So how did we get those names of colors?
Why does switching from texting to talking feel like you’re trying to speak a different language?
How do our brains process language?
What are "argots" or what some call "verbal jazz", and how is it used across the globe?
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  • Otherwords Season 4
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  • Otherwords Season 2
  • Otherwords Season 1
What is the best tool for cult leaders to control other people? It’s the power of language.
Headlines have sprung up all over declaring that the Southern American dialect is on its way out.
Why do we use such unusual words for the people we love?
Let’s dig deep and find out why certain names simply fall out of fashion.
Linguists use language everyday to solve crimes. Let’s take a look the most famous ones!
Join us as we find out how certain places got their names.
So how did we get those names of colors?
Why does switching from texting to talking feel like you’re trying to speak a different language?
How do our brains process language?
What are "argots" or what some call "verbal jazz", and how is it used across the globe?