Series exploring the world of words and the ways in which we use them
Radio 4,Β·271 episodes
Michael Rosen talks to writers about how character is created through language.
It's a word that can start a war. Michael Rosen explores the meaning of 'terrorist'.
Is gravity really like a bowling ball on a sheet? Michael Rosen on scientific metaphors.
Michael Rosen and guests 'drill down' into the subject of office jargon.
Chimps communicate but, asks Michael Rosen, do their utterances mean they use language?
Michael Rosen asks if baby talk benefits or hinders language development.
Michael Rosen looks at children's television and its effects on language development.
Michael Rosen and top crime writers on the changing language of the police interview.
Chris Ledgard and guests discuss the art and efficacy of the political soundbite.
Chris Ledgard looks at the laws surrounding language use, from libel to blasphemy.
Chris Ledgard mulls over the language and peculiarity of puzzles.
Chris Ledgard explores how we talk about scents, slogans on T-shirts and fashion lingo.
Chris Ledgard and Stuart Maconie explore miscommunication, mondegreens and misophonia.
Chris Ledgard talks to the outgoing editor of the Oxford English Dictionary.
Chris Ledgard explores the language ideas in the story of Babel.
Chris Ledgard explores our efforts to communicate with extra-terrestrial intelligence.
At the Brighton Festival, Michael Rosen and guests debate our linguistic ties with German.
With a royal baby due, Michael Rosen investigates the royal and national name hoard.
Michael Rosen explores the impact of your accent and dialect, starting with the very young
Michael Rosen discovers why instruction manuals are so hard to follow.
In Delhi and Jaipur, Chris Ledgard continues to explore the politics of language in India.
In Delhi and Jaipur, Chris Ledgard explores the passion and politics of language in India.
Michael Rosen asks who we are really talking to when we talk to ourselves.
Michael Rosen explores propaganda and the language of persuasion in media old and new.
Michael Rosen asks how English spoken by foreign students equips them for university life.
Michael Rosen charts the rise of the audiobook and asks if every writer is a performer.
Michael Rosen on communicating with people with autism or profound learning difficulties.
Writer Michael Rosen explores the language of bereavement and grief.
Michael Rosen explores the ancient art of stenography.
Michael Rosen discovers that the giving and receiving of compliments is a tricky business.
