Geoffrey Nunberg

Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers an alternative to the question, "Can computers think?"

In the final few hours before the Super Bowl, linguist Geoffrey Nunberg compares the literary language of football and baseball.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg examines the curious speech rules that Hollywood uses when it casts biblical era epics. (Rebroadcast. Original date 4/29/87).

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg comments on the ambiguity of the dictionary. (rerun of 9/13/1989)

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg examines one of the early rules of grammar we all have shoved down our throats,... the difference between can and may.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg has some thoughts on the literal meaning of "the body politic."

The Thomas hearings leads linguist Geoffrey Nunberg to wonder, is it "HAIR-ess-ment" or "heh-RASS-ment"?

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg examines accents and the prejudices we still have against them. (Rebroadcast).

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg examines the word "zeal." Nunberg has noticed that the euphemism "overzealous" has been used to explain away everything from executions during the French Revolution to the beating of Rodney King.

Language commentator Geoffrey Nunberg discusses watching words "head for obscurity."