Word by Word
Navigating life with humour: The role of Chinese internet buzzwords
Katharina Zhu explores the ever-changing language used on Chinese social media
The Singapore Stone’s carvings have been undeciphered for centuries – now we’re trying to crack the puzzle
If you pay a visit to the Singapore Stone, displayed at the National Museum of Singapore, you might be disappointed. That’s because the inscription – carrying an unknown writing system transcribing an unknown language – is fading. But if you love puzzles, this won’t put you off.
Is your pain my pain?
Read more about the varied ways in which our cultures shape our perceptions of pain.
Nine Chinese words that can't be translated into English
Not all translations are equal: A glimpse into Chinese culture and worldview
Five common English words we don’t know the origins of – including ‘boy’ and ‘dog’
Mysterious etymology of some words represent an exciting puzzle of the English language. Here are five examples.
Explore the magical world of language