At any one time language is a kaleidoscope of styles, genres and dialects.

Sending a message on a mobile phone is not the most natural of ways to communicate. The keypad isn't linguistically sensible.

Swearing makes an excellent relief mechanism

A feature of English that makes it different compared with all other languages is its global spread.

At any one time language is a kaleidoscope of styles, genres and dialects.

Academics don't normally manage to alter people's way of thinking through their strength of argument.

Ever since the arrival of printing - thought to be the invention of the devil because it would put false opinions into people's minds - people have been arguing that new technology would have disastrous consequences for language.