Summary of "Who Invented the English Language?" - But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

Release Date: August 8, 2025
Host: Jane Lindholm
Guest: Dr. Erica Brzozofsky, Sociolinguist and Host of PBS's Other Words*

Introduction to Linguistics and Sociolinguistics

The episode begins with Jane Lindholm introducing the topic of language evolution and the vastness of the English vocabulary. Highlighting the dynamic nature of languages, Jane emphasizes how new words are continuously created while others fade away. To delve deeper into these concepts, Dr. Erica Brzozofsky, a sociolinguist, joins the discussion.

Notable Quote:
Jane Lindholm [00:54]: "Languages are described as living or alive because they change all the time."

Origins and Development of the English Language

Dr. Brzozofsky explains that English doesn't have a single inventor. Instead, it has evolved over thousands of years, transitioning through phases like Old English, Middle English, and finally, Modern English. Each phase significantly altered the language's structure and vocabulary.

Notable Quote:
Dr. Erica Brzozofsky [04:08]: "If you speak English, you can be an inventor of some parts of English."

Evolution of the English Alphabet

The discussion traces the English alphabet back to ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, highlighting the transition to the Phoenician alphabet and eventually the Latin alphabet used today. Dr. Brzozofsky details how the alphabet adapted over time, including the addition of letters like 'U' and 'J' and the removal of others such as 'thorn' and 'eth.'

Notable Quote:
Dr. Erica Brzozofsky [04:23]: "The Alphabet has its origins, actually, in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics... which then developed into the Phoenician Alphabet."

Challenges of English Spelling

Jane and Dr. Brzozofsky delve into the complexities of English spelling. The inconsistent relationship between spelling and pronunciation is attributed to historical shifts like the Great Vowel Shift and the influence of the printing press, which locked in outdated spellings despite pronunciation changes.

Notable Quote:
Dr. Erica Brzozofsky [10:01]: "Words are spelled the way that they are because someone put them in a dictionary and claimed that is the correct way for them to be spelled."

Accents and Regional Variations

The episode explores why English accents vary both between countries and within regions of the same country. Factors include the linguistic backgrounds of speakers, geographical separation, and social interactions. Dr. Brzozofsky explains that our brains filter sounds based on the languages we grow up hearing, leading to distinct accents.

Notable Quote:
Dr. Erica Brzozofsky [15:26]: "Accents develop when there are separations between people... sometimes we'd end up with different names for the same things."

Silent Letters in English

Listeners inquire about the presence of silent letters in English words. Dr. Brzozofsky attributes many silent letters to historical pronunciation shifts and the standardization of spelling through dictionaries and printing practices. Examples include words like "knife" and "island."

Notable Quote:
Dr. Erica Brzozofsky [20:58]: "A lot of the silent letters are thanks to the great vowel shift... the printing press kind of helped lock in those outdated spellings."

Plural Forms and Exceptions

The conversation covers the formation of plurals in English, noting the regular addition of 's' or 'es' and the exceptions stemming from the language's diverse origins. Words borrowed from Latin and other languages often retain their original plural forms, adding to the complexity.

Notable Quote:
Dr. Erica Brzozofsky [25:43]: "But some words like radius and alumnus do get an 'I' at the end, and they are never said alumnuses or radiuses."

Language Evolution and Youth Influence

Dr. Brzozofsky encourages young listeners to embrace their role in language evolution. She highlights how new words and slang introduced by youth can naturally integrate into the language over time, emphasizing that language change is an organic process driven by its speakers.

Notable Quote:
Dr. Erica Brzozofsky [32:06]: "Language is always changing... you don't need to come up with things or try to make changes. They're gonna happen naturally."

Conclusion and Encouragement

Jane Lindholm wraps up the episode by inviting listeners to contribute their own invented words, fostering participation in the ongoing evolution of the English language. Dr. Brzozofsky commends the listeners for their curiosity and encourages them to continue exploring and shaping language.

Notable Quote:
Dr. Erica Brzozofsky [33:06]: "Keep it up. And I'm excited to see where you take it next... what innovations and cool, new, fun, weird, awesome things y'all come up with."

This episode provides a comprehensive exploration of the English language's origins, its complex spelling system, regional accents, and the ongoing evolution influenced by its speakers. Dr. Erica Brzozofsky's insights offer young listeners a deeper appreciation of the dynamic nature of language and their role in its future development.