Valerie Fridland

Dec 30, 2024 | scroll.in | Valerie Fridland

Few words so rile language purists as the use of the adverb “literally” in a figurative sense, as in, “That movie literally blew my mind”. But as a linguist who studies how English has changed over the centuries, I can promise that, while it might feel like nails screeching on a blackboard, the use of nonliteral “literally” developed as an organic and dynamic outgrowth of the very human desire to communicate emotion and intensity.

Dec 25, 2024 | virginiamercury.com | Valerie Fridland

by Valerie Fridland, Virginia Mercury December 25, 2024 Everyone has heard of Santa Claus, that chubby, white-bearded, red-suited guy who delivers Christmas presents via a reindeer-powered sleigh. But have you never wondered how he became a man of so many names? From St. Nick to Santa to Kris Kringle, it’s a marvel that Rudolph isn’t completely confused about whom exactly he is working for.

Dec 12, 2024 | theconversation.com | Valerie Fridland

Everyone has heard of Santa Claus, that chubby, white-bearded, red-suited guy who delivers Christmas presents via a reindeer-powered sleigh. But have you never wondered how he became a man of so many names? From St. Nick to Santa to Kris Kringle, it’s a marvel that Rudolph isn’t completely confused about whom exactly he is working for.

Dec 12, 2024 | kansascity.com | Valerie Fridland

Few words so rile language purists as the use of the adverb "literally" in a figurative sense, as in, "That movie literally blew my mind."But as a linguist who studies how English has changed over the centuries, I can promise that, while it might feel like nails screeching on a blackboard, the use of nonliteral "literally" developed as an organic and dynamic outgrowth of the very human desire to communicate emotion and intensity.

Dec 10, 2024 | usnews.com | Valerie Fridland |Kara S. Alaimo |Anthony Vaccaro

Few words so rile language purists as much as the use of the adverb “literally” in a figurative sense, as in: “That movie literally blew my mind.”But as a linguist who studies how English has changed over the centuries, I can promise that while it might sound to you like nails screeching on a blackboard, the use of the nonliteral “literally” developed as an organic and dynamic outgrowth of the very human desire to communicate both emotion and intensity.