Geoffrey Nunberg

Commentator Geoff Nunberg considers brand names. They make up a significant proportion of the average person's vocabulary. Nunberg says the English language is being privatized.

What does it say about electoral politics that "values," formerly a political bromide, is now a battle cry?

The Fresh Air linguist comments on the speaking styles of 2004 presidential candidates John Kerry and George Bush.

Nunberg considers profanity and how certain words, in certain eras, have had the power to offend.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers the language of the Vietnam War and how it's being used today.

Nunberg's new collection of commentary (originally written for broadcast and print) is Going Nucular: Language, Politics, and Culture in Confrontational Times. Nunberg is senior researcher at the Center for the Study of Language and Information at Stanford University and consulting full professor of linguistics at Stanford University. He also writes for the Sunday New York Times Week in Review.

Nunberg considers the word "torture."

Fresh Air linguist Geoff Nunberg looks at the term 'blogging.'

Nunberg looks at a new kind of fake news — "infoganda."

Linguist Geoff Nunberg on the use of profanity.