Linguist & "Because Internet" Author Gretchen McCulloch on What Makes Modern Internet Language Special

Gretchen McCulloch is an internet linguist, the "Resident Linguist" at WIRED Magazine (Best. Title. Ever!), the co-host of the Lingthusiasm podcast, and the author of the best-selling book ⁠Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language⁠, a smart, loving, pun-filled look at the evolution of language in the internet age.

Topics Discussed

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why the internet is such a vibrant laboratory for linguistic innovation.

• Why online writing is a linguist's dream.

• Emerging online writing conventions.

• Why the supposed “decline of English” is a pedant fantasy, not linguistic reality.

• Why we needn't heed the linguistic preferences of 18th century aristocrats.

Resources Mentioned

• ⁠Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language⁠

• Lingthusiasm Podcast

More About Gretchen

Gretchen McCulloch is a resident linguist at WIRED and the co-creator of the podcast Lingthusiasm. Her book, Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language, is a brilliant roadmap for anyone trying to navigate the complex social cues of the digital world. You can find more of her work at gretchenmcculloch.com.