Archive for 'News'
Sleepless in America Posted by Gary Locke on Aug 23, 2018
Americans are not getting enough sleep, and that presents an economic, health, and social crisis for the entire country. Studies show that lack of sleep contributes to obesity, poor performance in work and school, and unhealthy lifestyle choices. In the United States, this adds up to a stunning economic cost in lost productivity and health…
The American Ghost Town Posted by Gary Locke on Jul 19, 2018
Did you know that, in the US, it is possible to buy an entire town? Recently, two friends managed to do just that. For $1.4 million, they purchased Cerro Gordo, California. It consists of 300 acres, abandoned homes, a saloon, a two-story hotel, a general store, a museum, an eight-bedroom bunkhouse, a church which also…
The Man Behind 1984 Posted by Gary Locke on Jan 27, 2017
People are reading George Orwell again. Not that they ever stopped reading him, but now his works are hitting the bestseller lists, thanks largely to the kind of language we are hearing from members of the new Trump administration. And language, particularly English language as used by politicians, was Orwell’s preoccupation. Orwell’s real name was…
What’s the Difference? Inauguration Posted by Gary Locke on Jan 19, 2017
With a new administration taking office, it seems a good time to remind ourselves that the words of our leaders can have real significance. The misuse of a word, even selecting one simile when another would have been more appropriate, could lead to misunderstandings. And misunderstandings may have consequences. It may not lead to…
U.S. Election Vocabulary Posted by Gary Locke on Nov 4, 2016
We’ve talked about the U.S. presidential election, but you may still find yourself hearing certain terms which you don’t fully understand. Here’s a handy vocabulary guide to words and phrases which take on greater significance in the United States every four years. Absentee ballot: A ballot which is filled out and usually mailed in by…
The US Presidential Election Posted by sasha on Nov 1, 2016
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year, you’ve probably heard a lot about the upcoming presidential election in the US. For many, the process is confusing and overwhelming. To help you understand how the country elects its top leader, here’s a quick glance at the US presidential election. The Parties When…
Top-10 Posts: English Blog Posted by Gabriele on Jan 5, 2016
Before we jump into 2016, let’s take a look back at some of the most popular blog posts on this Transparent Language’s English language blog. Maybe you have already read these posts, or maybe you missed them, either way they all have something to offer toward your continued development as an English language speaker. These…