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Valerie M. Fridland

Valerie M. Fridland

The Conversation

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Despite all the likes, literallys and dropped g’s, English isn’t decaying before our eyes

Despite all the likes, literallys and dropped g’s, English isn’t decaying before our eyes

Throughout the history of the language, what has been considered ‘bad’ speech often becomes ‘proper.’ You just have to give it time.

21.04.2026 6

The Conversation

Valerie M. Fridland

Is it ‘Ih‑ran’ or ‘E‑ron’? Inside the politics of pronunciation

Both President Trump and Vice President Vance pronounce Iran as ‘Ih-RAN,’ not ‘Ih-RON.’ A linguist says that how the country’s name is...

24.03.2026 30

The Conversation

Valerie M. Fridland

Pop, soda or coke? The fizzy history behind America’s favorite linguistic debate

An expert in American dialects explains how a ‘health drink’ from the early 1800s spawned so many names and variations.

01.07.2025 10

The Conversation

Valerie M. Fridland