Tag: Language
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1984 at 70: Still relevant says Orwell’s son
Even after a lifetime, can a classic still have a message? Few novels have had such an effect, with ‘Big Brother’, ‘newspeak’ and ‘thoughtcrime’ now firmly embedded in the English language.
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World Book Day celebrates pure joy of reading
To quote Jane Austen, “there is no enjoyment like reading!” It is one of life’s purest delights, and it comes with health benefits too. But should you read for pleasure or self-improvement?
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Million-dollar author caught in web of lies
Dan Mallory, writer of the bestselling thriller The Woman in the Window, has admitted to lying about having brain cancer — one of many deceptions he used to boost his career.
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BuzzFeed bombshell fuels Trump media war
In an explosive article, Donald Trump has been accused of obstructing justice — sparking calls for impeachment. However, officials have rejected the claim, while Trump called it a “disgrace”.
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Furious conservatives attack #MeToo Gillette
Gillette has released a bold new advert attacking “toxic” masculinity, sparking fierce debate. Some say the ad is insulting and wrong, while others praise its progressive message.
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Ze, toxic, single-use: words that defined 2018
What do they tell us about the year? Environmental catastrophe, extreme politics and gender relations… The dictionaries’ words of 2018 reveal a world battling division and destruction.
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The young ad man who conquered the Dragons
What does it take to be an entrepreneur? Ed Hollands launched his truck advertising company after university, realising a childhood dream. Sales soared this year after victory...
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‘Let me live, love, and say it well...’
Is poetry more vital than ever? A survey has declared Sylvia Plath the most popular poet of all time among teenagers — ahead of William Shakespeare. Meanwhile, poetry readership is surging.
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I, Hunter: how a name can change your life
How much do they matter? The most popular baby names of 2017 have been revealed. Studies show that what you are named can influence everything from your exam results to your face.
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Tuneless, dull and dated: anthems under fire
Should we scrap national anthems? A nine-year-old girl has sparked anger by calling out racist lyrics in Advance Australia Fair. It is far from the only national song...
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Bodyguard: thrills viewers and divides critics
Does Bodyguard teach us anything about the world? The hit BBC show has become Britain’s most watched TV drama in over a decade — several different...
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Avo, bougie and rando: the new words for 2018
Is the English language getting out of hand? Merriam-Webster has added more than 800 new words to its dictionary, including “TL;DR”. Our language has been constantly changing for centuries.
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Indonesia rocked by earthquake catastrophe
Are media reports of natural disasters unfair? At least 98 people have died in a deadly quake in Indonesia. Hundreds of tourists evacuated. Meanwhile, famous faces were caught in the chaos.
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Baron Cohen returns to ambush US establishment
Is Sacha Baron Cohen insightful or cheap entertainment? His new show, Who is America?, debuted last night. It has drawn criticism for duping politicians and exposing...
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Giant of American fiction Philip Roth dies
Do great writers offer great wisdom? Legendary American novelist Philip Roth has died aged 85. Love, death, sex, faith: his era-defining prose left no side of human life unexamined.