agile
Oct 8th, 2006, 05:43 AM
When I first heard about this show I inwardly groaned. How could a discussion of language be entertaining, let alone interesting? Fortunately my initial thoughts were way off the mark and The Word Nerds has become one of my favourite podcasts.
In its current format the show is released about twice a month and shows run for about half an hour. The sound quality of the show is excellent and the show has very tight production values. The hosts of the show (brothers David and Howard Shepherd and Howard Chang) really know their stuff and are all High School Teachers in language faculties. Just as importantly, the hosts are able to translate their knowledge for the general public into an interesting show about language and why we say the things we say.
The Word Nerds show follows a format where one theme will be discussed over the course of a half hour show. Recent themes have included Endings, Fustian Circumlocution and Jokes. Each show will look at the application of the discussed theme and some practical examples of how people use the discussed style of language. The show is broken up with very effective use of a single song that is linked to the language theme of the day. The show will conclude with the ‘Rude Word of the Week’ segment where a word such as ‘unflushable’ is discussed in relation to modern application of the word.
The Word Nerds is an intelligent podcast that is entertaining and informative. The hosts have a real passion for language and its use in society. Rather than being a dry show about the background of language alone, it soon becomes clear that this show is about what motivates people to act the way they do and to communicate those actions through the use of words.
Podcast Rating: 10 out of 10
Website: http://thewordnerds.org/
RSS Feed: http://thewordnerds.org/feed
In its current format the show is released about twice a month and shows run for about half an hour. The sound quality of the show is excellent and the show has very tight production values. The hosts of the show (brothers David and Howard Shepherd and Howard Chang) really know their stuff and are all High School Teachers in language faculties. Just as importantly, the hosts are able to translate their knowledge for the general public into an interesting show about language and why we say the things we say.
The Word Nerds show follows a format where one theme will be discussed over the course of a half hour show. Recent themes have included Endings, Fustian Circumlocution and Jokes. Each show will look at the application of the discussed theme and some practical examples of how people use the discussed style of language. The show is broken up with very effective use of a single song that is linked to the language theme of the day. The show will conclude with the ‘Rude Word of the Week’ segment where a word such as ‘unflushable’ is discussed in relation to modern application of the word.
The Word Nerds is an intelligent podcast that is entertaining and informative. The hosts have a real passion for language and its use in society. Rather than being a dry show about the background of language alone, it soon becomes clear that this show is about what motivates people to act the way they do and to communicate those actions through the use of words.
Podcast Rating: 10 out of 10
Website: http://thewordnerds.org/
RSS Feed: http://thewordnerds.org/feed