It’s that long-awaited time of year — the temperature’s beginning to drop, the leaves are starting to shift colors, and you might even be trading in your shorts for pants on the weekends. Summer is officially over.

To commemorate the seasonal change, we’re looking back at some of the best articles we posted during the heat of the summer. This round up is an excellent sample of the various kinds of articles you can routinely find on ALTA Language Services’ Beyond Words Language Blog.

From language industry news, to student resources, pop culture, and language comedy, we hope these articles leave you informed, entertained, and maybe even slightly addicted. Happy reading, listening, and watching!

Funny Talk: 5 Comedy Sketches about Language

In the mood to laugh (and possibly even learn a little bit)? Here are five comedy sketches, spanning several decades, about issues involving language and linguistics.

Scholarships and Grants for Language and Translation Students

Students of language and translation may have missed the deadlines for many of these scholarships and grants, but it’s never too early to start preparing for next year’s applications.

Chew the Fat: A Look at Cockney Rhyming Slang

If you’re anything like me, you may remember how you didn’t understand much of what Brad Pitt said during the film Snatch. This article about Cockney rhyming slang is a great first step toward learning the “vulgar tongue.”

Language and Politics: Palin Refudiates Critics

It’s still not clear after Sarah Palin’s use of the word “refudiate” in July whether or not it has entered the general lexicon, but her slip-up certainly raised eyebrows in the media. Read our commentary on 2010’s “refudiate-gate.”

The Law, Language, and Linguaphobia: New Jersey’s DWI Language Ruling

A discussion of the recent New Jersey Supreme Court case involving a less than proficient English speaker and a DWI and language case. The article examines the language policies and current trends toward linguaphobia in the United States.

Endangered Language Watch: Salish

A new feature on Beyond Words, the Endangered Language Watch focuses on languages at risk of extinction around the world. This second installment examines the Salish language which is still spoken in Kalispell, Montana.

Lessons from a Graduate Student in Translation and Interpretation

Another new monthly feature by Beyond Words, “Lessons from a Graduate Student” provides readers with thoughts and musings about graduate school at the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

The Pros and Cons of Crowdsourcing

Guest blogger and freelance Spanish to English translator, Rachel McRoberts, explains crowdsourcing and discusses both the advantages and disadvantages of crowdsourced translation projects.

Paraprosdokian: Beyond a Punchline or a Turn of Phrase

What exactly is a paraprosdokian? Is it some sort of strange extraterrestrial organism? Some sort of rare surgical procedure? The last thing we want to do at Beyond Words is confuse you — but it’s still on the list.

Currywurst: Language History in Every Bite

This article by Beyond Words’ blogger, Jes, traces the etymology, history, and cultural relevance of the German street food currywurst.

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