Words
A Loanword Carries More Than Its Sound
Learn how a loanword gains local meaning by tracing its form, setting, and speakers without assuming the original…
The reading room
All readings
Read the latest pieces on the words, objects, stories and customs that change as they travel between cultures.
Stories
Retelling a Tale: Keep the Plot or the Rhythm?
Retelling a tale means choosing between plot precision and oral rhythm; learn how each approach shapes a folktale and…
Objects
How Souvenirs Become Personal Keepsakes
Learn how a travel souvenir can become a personal keepsake, and record its place, maker, and memory without confusing…
Customs
The One-Origin Story of a Custom
The one-origin story of a custom can erase shared influences. Learn how to describe its history carefully when…
Exchange
A Guest’s First Hour at a Shared Table
A guest’s first hour at a shared table is easier when you read the host’s cues, ask about unfamiliar customs, and make…