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Language Evolves! Overview
Languages are constantly evolving; the English spoken by Shakespeare five hundred years ago sounds very different from how we speak today, and the first languages of our ancestors 1 million years ago were likely very different indeed! In Language Evolves! we introduce the scientific study of language evolution through a series of fun activities and games, exploring how languages evolve as we learn and use them in our everyday lives.
Visits to Midlothian Schools
Visits to Midlothian Schools
We've visited schools all over Edinburgh and Midlothians, and we'd love to visit your class too! Our session is aimed at P6 and P7 students, but we are happy to accommodate older students as well. Our session lasts approximately 1 hour. Just get in touch if you have questions!
Language change...
Language change...
Languages are dynamic, and language change is a natural and inevitable part of human communication. We use examples from English, including spelling and word meanings (like pants!) to show kids how English has changed over time. We use simple games to illustrate how change happens, and how it can be help us more efficiently talk about important things in our world.
animal communication
animal communication
Our session includes custom videos and hilarious audio clips designed to teach kids about how animals (like monkeys, parrots, and even killer whales!) communicate about the world around them, and learn sounds. These are two skills that only humans have put together, so they are key to understanding lanugage evolution.
Virtual sessions
Virtual sessions
We also offer virtual sessions if this is more convenient for you or your class!
What teachers said
What teachers said
Some comments from teachers who've hosted us in their classrooms!
About us!
Prof. Kenny Smith and Prof. Jennifer Culbertson created Language Evolves! We are Professors of Linguistics at the University of Edinburgh. We have years of experience speaking to a wide range of audiences about topics ranging from language change in French to artificial and constructed languages.
Get in touch! jennifer.culbertson@ed.ac.uk
The Centre for Language Evolution
You can find out more about our research by checking out our research group, the CLE.
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