Language in the Mind

The evolution of language and cognitive linguistics

Gender
How Biology and Culture Shape Gender Identity

Vyvyan Evans Ph.D. on July 10, 2024

Whatever one’s views on the immutability or otherwise of biological sex, gender is itself a sociolinguistic construct, confected in a cultural context.

Whatever one’s views on the immutability or otherwise of biological sex, gender is itself a sociolinguistic construct, confected in a cultural context.

Transgender
Why Biological Sex Is Not the Same as Gender

Vyvyan Evans Ph.D. on August 3, 2023

Prejudice based on a failure to appreciate the complexities of biological sex and the consequences of culture and language in shaping gender identities must be overcome.

Prejudice based on a failure to appreciate the complexities of biological sex and the consequences of culture and language in shaping gender identities must be overcome.

Cognition
The Psychology of Censorship: Changes to Roald Dahl's Words

Vyvyan Evans Ph.D. on February 27, 2023

It is fitting that the original works of Roald Dahl continue to remain in print. And readers are now free to choose which versions—original or sensitized—they consume.

It is fitting that the original works of Roald Dahl continue to remain in print. And readers are now free to choose which versions—original or sensitized—they consume.

Parapsychology
Could Digital Telepathy Render Language Obsolete?

Vyvyan Evans Ph.D. on April 26, 2022

While language won't be rendered obsolete by technology anytime soon, there is no reason to think that in the future neural implants won’t impact the nature of language learning.

While language won't be rendered obsolete by technology anytime soon, there is no reason to think that in the future neural implants won’t impact the nature of language learning.

Cognition
Neural Implants and the Future of Language

Vyvyan Evans Ph.D. on February 17, 2022

New research on brain implants promises to revolutionize how, or even whether we need to learn language. But such advances raise ethical as well as psychological concerns.

New research on brain implants promises to revolutionize how, or even whether we need to learn language. But such advances raise ethical as well as psychological concerns.

Psychology
The Psychology of Natural Versus Constructed Languages

Vyvyan Evans Ph.D. on December 10, 2021

While constructed languages, like J.R.R Tolkien's Elvish or the language of Avatar are strange and exotic, they have more in common with natural languages than you might think.

While constructed languages, like J.R.R Tolkien's Elvish or the language of Avatar are strange and exotic, they have more in common with natural languages than you might think.

Cognition
Language Has a Past, Family Trees, and Even Character

Vyvyan Evans Ph.D. on July 5, 2021

Language, like people, is a living, breathing organism, that changes and evolves, that has a backstory, and sometimes, as in the case of English, is the language of invasion.

Language, like people, is a living, breathing organism, that changes and evolves, that has a backstory, and sometimes, as in the case of English, is the language of invasion.

Media
Technology Is Changing Our Hand Gestures

Vyvyan Evans Ph.D. on October 7, 2020

Young people no longer understand traditional gestures, from miming a phone call to requesting the check. What does this mean for communication?

Young people no longer understand traditional gestures, from miming a phone call to requesting the check. What does this mean for communication?

Media
The Future of Communication

Vyvyan Evans Ph.D. on July 21, 2020

Technology is transforming the ways we communicate with one another and interact with the world around us.

Technology is transforming the ways we communicate with one another and interact with the world around us.

Cognition
How to Learn a New Language and Why It Matters

Vyvyan Evans Ph.D. on February 19, 2020

Which is the most difficult language to learn? What is the most effective way to learn a language? And which language will best enhance your job prospects?

Which is the most difficult language to learn? What is the most effective way to learn a language? And which language will best enhance your job prospects?

Empathy
Communication: Oh, the Irony

Vyvyan Evans Ph.D. on February 10, 2020

What irony is, why it matters, and how it's used in communication—not least to establish empathy.

What irony is, why it matters, and how it's used in communication—not least to establish empathy.

Career
How Does Communication Work?

Vyvyan Evans Ph.D. on January 29, 2020

Part 3: There are six ways in which non-verbal cues provide meaning in face-to-face spoken interaction.

Part 3: There are six ways in which non-verbal cues provide meaning in face-to-face spoken interaction.

Body Language
How Does Communication Work?

Vyvyan Evans Ph.D. on January 23, 2020

Part 2: Verbal and non-verbal cues contribute to personal communication in different ways and to different extents.

Part 2: Verbal and non-verbal cues contribute to personal communication in different ways and to different extents.

Career
How Does Communication Work?

Vyvyan Evans Ph.D. on January 17, 2020

Part 1: Communication is much more than just language. Non-verbal cues are essential to communicating empathy.

Part 1: Communication is much more than just language. Non-verbal cues are essential to communicating empathy.

Cognition
How Language Works

Vyvyan Evans Ph.D. on August 8, 2019

We all take language for granted, yet we rely upon it throughout our lives in order to perform a range of functions essential to our daily lives.

We all take language for granted, yet we rely upon it throughout our lives in order to perform a range of functions essential to our daily lives.

Cognition
Use And Abuse Of Backdoor Reference Checks In Universities

Vyvyan Evans Ph.D. on August 5, 2019

Undisclosed "backdoor" reference checks are widely used in hiring decisions. But they do untold damage, to the employer and job applicant. The case of Leiden University is examined

Undisclosed "backdoor" reference checks are widely used in hiring decisions. But they do untold damage, to the employer and job applicant. The case of Leiden University is examined

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November 2025 magazine cover
November 2025
Healing Family Splits

Cut-offs cut deep and wide, their emotional impact reverberating far beyond the combatants. Because much of the suffering is hidden, repair is challenging for everyone, not least of all therapists.

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