Linguists have once again put the spotlight on Singlish - an intricate and creative creole language native to Singapore and parts of Malaysia.
Singlish is spoken predominantly by young, uneducated Singaporeans. It emerged following interaction between speakers of the city state's four official languages, which are all largely unrelated.
Language experts and government officials agree that it is a poor substitute for Standard English, but they say that on a sociological level it underscores the vibrancy and innovation of living tongues.
In news that could revolutionise speech recognition software, scientists at Maastricht University have developed a neuroimaging technique that can recognise spoken words.
By hooking individuals up to a device that monitors and data-mines brainwaves, researchers were able to develop a unique neural fingerprint betraying individual speech sounds and voices.
The breakthrough allowed scientists to create algorithms that translate brain activity into highly specific patterns, paving the way for significant advances in speech and voice recognition.
The virtual Babel fish trapped inside Google's latest iPhone application has a problem with British people, it has emerged.
US scientists developed the voice recognition creature for the popular handheld device, hoping to enhance its operability in the absence of a keyboard.
But after launching the software to much fanfare this week, Google has received several complaints from British users alleging discrimination.
The monosyllabic murmur 'meh' has been recognised as a real
word by the editors of the Collins English Dictionary, AP reports.
Having been popularised in a 2001 episode of the Simpsons, the word - which is broadly defined as 'an expression of indifference or
boredom' - is now virtually ubiquitous in popular culture.
In addition to its global adoption among younger
generations, the term has reportedly stirred up excitement among lexicographers
who are impressed by its onomatopoeiac appeal.
