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Say Something That Has Never Been Said Before

8 May 2026

How often do certain words and phrases appear in language? Marten van der Meulen is fascinated by this question. No, not everything has been said before!

It’s all Double Dutch to ChatGPT

30 March 2026

Language is power. Whoever decides which words count, which sentences sound right, which expressions are 'correct', also decides who belongs and who doesn't. That question is as old as standardised Dutch itself. But as generative AI reshapes the linguistic landscape, it takes on a new and urgent dim

Why Cliffhangers Make Children’s Books Better

12 March 2025

Children’s books have a magic of their own. They manage to tell powerful stories with just a few words, relying on rhythm, rhyme, and suspense to captivate young readers. But one of the most underrated techniques is the cliffhanger. When done right, it turns a children’s book into a real page-tu

Bird Entertainment for a Linguist

1 July 2024

Intrigued by the superstitions and etymology surrounding the magpie, linguist Marten van der Meulen explores the rich and varied history of bird names across different cultures.

Show Empathy for Those Struggling with Dutch Grammar Rules

21 May 2024

Language rules remind linguist Marten van der Meulen of national borders: both are historically evolved, arbitrary agreements. Showing a little compassion for those who can’t immediately recall these rules is therefore warranted.

The Smell of Masculine Fullness and Rotten Eggs

19 February 2024

How do you describe a fragrance when you lack the words for it? Linguist Marten van der Meulen sees possibilities in dialects and non-European languages.

How “Local” Is Local Food?

17 October 2023

There is quite a bit of confusion surrounding the concept of ‘local,’ particularly in relation to food. Linguist Marten van der Meulen highlights the implications of this. ‘It’s unfair if one person limits themselves to a 20-kilometre radius to get their food, while the other person consider

The Dutch Language in 2050? More Diverse Than Ever

20 September 2023

Will the Dutch language still exist in the future? Linguist Marten van der Meulen addresses this question, as we specified, in the book The Low Countries in 2050: A Past with a Future. His response, written as if it’s already 2050, is also available here. “Let’s discuss Dutch, considering its

Even in Microstate Andorra, There Is Room for Language Variation

18 August 2023

Variation exists in everything, and language is no exception. No matter how small an area is, there is always room for language variation, writes linguist Marten van der Meulen.

‘Yes, I Do’ and Other Words That Change the World

3 May 2023

Linguist Marten van der Meulen had the honour to perform one of the rarest and most extraordinary speech acts: the wedding ceremony. This led him to reflect on the functions of language. ‘The language you use, shows the group you belong to.’

Thingy

14 March 2023

There is something you should know about the word thingy (dinges in Dutch). It refers to something, but what it represents is at the same time unknown. So how come this yet seems to work, linguist Marten van der Meulen wonders.

Tips on How to Create an Escher Sentence and Other Ambiguities

8 November 2022

Linguist Marten van der Meulen is fascinated by a special phenomenon: the Escher sentence. And although it can drive you crazy, he is happy to provide some tips on how to create ambiguous sentences.

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