Divided by a common language
The internet is a global revolution in communication - as long as you use letters from the western alphabet. Kieren McCarthy on the growing pressure for a net that recognises Asian, Arabic and Hindi characters, too. (The Guardian, July 27th, 2006)
Language learning kicks off
The World Cup, holiday homes and budget airlines are feeding an unexpected passion for learning languages. (BBC News, July 27th, 2006)
How words fall pregnant with the possibility of being twisted
A lesson we have learnt from the politics of the past century or so is that words are no longer the straightforward conveyors of ideas we thought they were. (The Telegraph, July 26th, 2006)
Police recruits face Welsh test
North Wales Police recruits will not be promoted until they pass a test in Welsh, the chief constable says in his online diary. (BBC News, July 20th, 2006)
Welsh learner's Atlantic crossing
An American who learned Welsh using the internet moves to Cardiff to sharpen his language skills. (BBC News, July 18th, 2006)
EU to get a touch of the blarney
The European Parliament is preparing to spend more than £460,000 a year providing translations from Irish into English on behalf of six Gaelic-speaking MEPs. (The Telegraph, July 14th, 2006)
Police couple learn sign language
Two police officers are learning sign language to help them communicate with the deaf community. (BBC News, July 12th, 2006)
Cheshire PoW's dialect recording turns up in Berlin 90 years on
The recording begins with a swish and a crackle and then a strong male voice is heard speaking in a solid northern accent: "There was a man who had two sons..." (The Guardian, July 6th, 2006)
Stroke gives woman foreign accent
A Geordie woman develops foreign accents after waking up from a stroke. (BBC News, July 4th, 2006)
Foreign Language Syndrome occurs when people with brain injuries lose the ability to talk in their native accent. After a stroke, George Reynolds developed an Italian accent.
