How does one brain network compensate for another when parts of the brain are damaged by illness or injury? A new study of patients with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) shows that patients who have ...

As students are expected to read more challenging texts, the academic language they contain can be daunting. But a certain type of vocabulary instruction could help students break tricky words down ...

The English language is a treasure trove of words that not only sound beautiful but also convey complex, nuanced meanings. You may never have heard of them, let alone be able to pronounce them but ...

In “Through the Looking Glass,” Humpty Dumpty says scornfully, “When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.” Alice replies, “The question is whether you can make ...

Fluency in a foreign language is often thought to be about speaking quickly and using advanced vocabulary. However, researchers reveal that speakers who use common, everyday expressions sound more ...

Whether it's a job or being with friends, big words aren't always meant to be used in everyday conversation. Even if smart people can throw in complex words to show off their intellect, it's not ...

Simple is hard. Ask any speaker who has struggles to explain their work to someone outside their field. Stanford business school lecturer Matt Abrahams teaches his students to simplify complexity by ...

It’s not uncommon for people to assume the bigger the word, the smarter the person saying it is. Big words have a reputation for being used by only the most intelligent and professional individuals.