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Congratulations to our valued client Professor Dr.-Ing. Uwe Winkelhake on the publication of his new book

Congratulations to our valued client Professor Dr.-Ing. Uwe Winkelhake on the publication of his new book

Our amazing client has the second edition of his reference book ‘The Digital Transformation of the Automotive Industry’ just out. The team at our specialist division AVALON | Books | had the honour again of working the English translation and its pre-editing ahead of the publishing house taking over. The preface to the book also refers to our involvement.   …

Our emotions and identity can affect the way we use grammar

Our emotions and identity can affect the way we use grammar

Study reveals how emotional context affects how we use and understand language at the neural level.   Language and social identity have been making headlines recently. Last month, Air Canada’s CEO Michael Rousseau faced scrutiny over not knowing French – his language deficit is helping support Bill 96 in Québec (which seeks to change the Canadian Constitution to affirm Québec as a nation and…

The only constant in life [business] is change

The only constant in life [business] is change

Throughout an organisation’s lifetime, it will inevitably undergo at least one form of organisational change. Organisational changes reflect the inescapable and ever-changing reality of the competitive business world. Technologies will continue to advance; outdated systems and processes will continue to be replaced, and the process of organisational change will continue to rear its head, prompting leaders to re-evaluate processes and establish the new…

How the human talent for charades helps explain the origin of language

How the human talent for charades helps explain the origin of language

Language gives us the power to describe, virtually without limit, the countless entities, actions, properties, and relations that compose our experience, real and imagined. But what is the origin of this power? What gave rise to humankind’s ability to use words to convey meanings? Traditionally, scholars interested in this question have focused on trying to explain language as an arbitrary symbolic code.…

Festive linguistics: The language of Christmas

Festive linguistics: The language of Christmas

With Christmas around the corner, this is to engage in some festive linguistics and investigate the roots of some of our favourite Christmas words. We hope this little glossary is helpful in understanding the background behind the terminology.   Advent – from the Latin adventus meaning ‘coming’, is the time when Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ. Advent…

What is the Bouba/Kiki effect, and what does it mean for the evolution of language?

What is the Bouba/Kiki effect, and what does it mean for the evolution of language?

What shape do you think of when you hear the words Bouba and Kiki?   Have you ever tried to communicate with someone who doesn’t speak your language? Exchanging frantic gestures and impossible-to-understand words as you both become more and more frustrated? It usually seems like an impossible situation. However, scientists who are interested to learn how sight and sound…