Tag: Linguistics
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Why Do We Need Linguists?
Imagine the preparation for an event like, let’s say, the Super Bowl. Coaches, players, trainers, and everyone else involved work constantly, together and alone, to be at peak performance when the big game rolls around. Now, imagine if, one day…
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Trends in Oncology: Metaphor Basics
The treatment discussion as a whole has been impacted by the launch of new classes of treatment and new products over the past year. One third (10/30) of newly approved molecules in the European Union in 2016 were drugs for…
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Galactic Grammar and Interstellar Syntax
A Linguist’s response to the film Arrival There’s been some hype about the new film Arrival, and some newfound attention to the field of linguistics. Rather than point out all of the inevitable liberty-taking that comes with projecting an everyday…
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Talking Taboo: Opioid Abuse on the Rise
The “opioid epidemic” is a growing problem in the United States. The state of Virginia declared a public health emergency relating to abuse of such substances, Google search data shows a higher rate of searches for the heroin treatment Suboxone…
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Coming Up Next: How do Doctors Talk about the Drug Pipeline?
When we talk about the drug pipeline, we’re talking about the future. Pipeline drugs are often the newest medical advancements that scientists are still in the process of testing for safety or efficacy. As doctors can’t generally prescribe pipeline drugs,…
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Zombie, Walkers, and The Walking Dead: Exploring In-Office Constructs of Meaning
The impending return of AMC’s The Walking Dead on October 23rd, with its portrayal of flesh-eating, swarming zombies, or “walkers” as they’ve been coined, has me thinking about how we use that term in our daily lives. Or more specifically,…
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The Power Behind Hope: Magic versus Miracle
What is the “magic pill”? Does it exist? The (very) short answer is no. But don’t worry- “miracle pills” might! So what’s the difference between a magic pill and a miracle pill, and how do doctors and patients feel about…