Tune into Planet Word - it’s an eye-opener!

I’ve just managed to catch up on this week’s episode of Steven Fry’s new series Planet Word thanks to the BBC iPlayer. If you haven’t already watched it, it’s well worth it. Even if linguistics is not your “thing” Fry manages to make it interesting and even a bit funny.

This second episode raises some really interesting questions about language and identity and the preservation of minority languages. He takes a look at Irish, Basque and Occitan. There’s a couple of eye-opening comments about minority languages from someone at the Académie Française - note to self: is there such a word as “linguaphobic”?

The episode also explores the development of Global English or Globish - how the use of a lingua franca like English has spurred on globalisation but may also be contributing to language death because minority languages are seen as “going nowhere” (yes we’re back to the Académie Française!) Interestingly there was an article in the October / November issue of The Linguist magazine on a similar theme and it is an area of concern for many.

Personally, having watched the first two episodes, this is the type of series that can help foster a real interest in the practical aspects of linguistics. When the book comes out - and believe me, the BBC will end up bringing a book out - it would be the perfect Christmas gift to rouse someone’s interest in languages.