How to know if someone hide their posts from you on Facebook

Languages are fascinating. English has plenty of words that fly in the face of grammar rules we’re taught in school, and learning another language makes you question everything you thought you understood about grammatical structure and what items should be called. Plus, it’s pretty amusing to view a language from the lens of an outsider. For example, the word for thank you in Lithuanian sounds like a sneeze (ačiū), and the word for bread sounds like the name Donna with a thick New York accent (duona). The Swedish language also has a host of words that seem silly when read by a native English speaker, including the words for good (bra), urine (kiss), and speed (fart). (I know they’re pronounced differently, but not everyone does!) 

Ah, the wonderful world of linguistics. If you enjoy learning more about other languages, and your own, you’re in for a real treat. Down below, we’ve compiled some of the funniest posts from Steve the Vagabond and Silly Linguist’s Facebook page. From calling out how arbitrary spelling is in certain languages to noting words that sound silly to non-native speakers, we hope you enjoy this trip down linguistics lane.

Keep reading to also find an interview with Steve the linguist himself, and be sure to upvote the posts you get a kick out of. Feel free to share any other amusing linguistics facts you know in the comments. Then if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article featuring hilarious grammar and spelling errors in English texts, you can find that right hear! Oh, I mean here!  

More info: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube |  SillyLinguistics.com

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

478points

Kim Gilbert

Kim Gilbert

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Lol for this.

82points

To learn more about how Steve's linguistics page came about in the first place, we reached out to him via Facebook. When asked what inspired him to start the account, he told Bored Panda, "I have always loved languages and linguistics." We also asked if he could share a fascinating linguistics fact with us: "There are some languages that use cardinal directions (east, west, north, south) instead of left and right for directions." I don't have a wonderful sense of direction, so I would definitely struggle with that...

He also wanted to make it clear that the study of linguistics is for everyone. "Linguistics is the study of languages. All forms of speech are valid. All dialects are valid." And when it comes to why his page is so popular, Steve noted that, "Everyone loves words and languages, it seems. I focus on the fun side of things." And as far as the future of his account is concerned, Steve says that he only plans to make it bigger and better. So be sure to give the page a like on Facebook to follow its growth and see more language memes right here!

#2

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

461points

OnAFreakingRollercoaster

OnAFreakingRollercoaster

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Love it 👌🤣

83points

#3

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

360points

OnAFreakingRollercoaster

OnAFreakingRollercoaster

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She must be an English teacher 😉👌

84points

According to the Linguistic Society of America, “Linguistics is the scientific study of language. [It applies] the scientific method to conduct formal studies of speech sounds and gestures, grammatical structures, and meaning across the world’s 6,000+ languages.” Linguistics is a field that applies to us all, as almost every person on the planet speaks, reads or understands some form of language. Often, people even know more than one!

“Language use is an essential human ability,” the LSA writes on their site. “Whether it's telling a joke, naming a baby, using voice recognition software, or helping a relative who's had a stroke, you'll find the study of language reflected in almost everything you do. Linguists spend their days seeking answers to questions like the following and so many more, because language and linguistics play such a fundamental role in every human's life.”

Some of the questions linguists seek to answer are: How do you speak differently when you're talking to your friends, your parents, or your boss? Why do people who speak the same language as you still sound different from you? Why do languages die, and how can one on the brink of death be preserved?

#4

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

348points

GrillMeASalmon

GrillMeASalmon

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I'm sorry I just spit out my coffee...

71points

#5

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

344points

10C Niranjan Karthik

10C Niranjan Karthik

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🤣,This should actually be a little higher

50points

#6

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

328points

Zara the squid! 🦑

Zara the squid! 🦑

Community Member • points

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upvotes

I own a Chonkosaurus, that’s just my cat

126points

Linguistics inherently plays an important role in all of our lives, but it can also bring us a lot of enjoyment. Steve the vagabond and silly linguist uses his platform to help others find the joy in studying languages. Becoming fluent in a foreign language is an incredibly hard task, but dipping your toe into the pond of linguistics can help you become much more curious about the world’s many tongues. And a few simple phrases in any language can go a long way. Just knowing how to say hello, thank you, excuse me, and ask for help can spare you some embarrassment while traveling and allow you to inform the locals that you’ve put in a bit of effort.

The last time I was traveling to the United States, I arrived in Austin, Texas and explained to the passport control officer that I had flown in from Lithuania. His face lit up, and he responded with, “Labas!” (Hi!) I was shocked that he knew even a single word, and he was thrilled to tell me that he also knew how to say thank you because he has some Lithuanian friends who are currently living in Chicago. I’m sure it’s extremely rare that he meets anyone who knows those words, and it was just pure coincidence that he got to check my passport. But it was a great moment that made us both smile, all thanks to his curiosity about languages.

#7

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

324points

Olivia Lisbon

Olivia Lisbon

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It’s not new, but I love this so much.

74points

#8

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

308points

Anne Jones

Anne Jones

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Lol! Cruel but true..

63points

#9

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

300points

Aly.J

Aly.J

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I am also enriched by this knowledge, thank you

67points

I’m ashamed to admit that I’m not fluent in any other languages, but I know a handful of words and phrases in several languages thanks to growing up in Texas, classes in school and university, and living in a couple countries that speak their own languages. But even the small amount of foreign languages I know has come in handy several times in my life. For example, when I was living in Sweden, I made an appointment to get a tattoo in Stockholm. I had booked the session via email in English, but when I arrived, I was told that the artist I had an appointment with couldn’t come in that day. Instead, there was another man who spoke fluent Spanish and Swedish (he was originally from Chile) who would handle my art for me. Through my broken Spanish, broken Swedish and a bit of his broken English, the appointment turned out to be a success. Sometimes, it’s not crucial to be perfect or know everything. You just need to listen and understand enough to make yourself understood.  

#10

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

289points

Headless Roach

Headless Roach

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Indeed

47points

#11

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

277points

Nathaniel

Nathaniel

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This short video explains why. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

179points

#12

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

262points

SCP 4666

SCP 4666

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No mercy my children!

115points

I’ve always been a sucker for a great pun or play on words, so these linguistics jokes are right up my alley. But there are plenty of reasons to study linguistics. First of all, anything that gives you a wider global perspective is great. The more we learn about other languages and cultures, the greater we’ll be able to understand people living all over the world, even if we can’t communicate in the same language. Linguistics can also be a great field to study in terms of career opportunities. There are many jobs linguists can pursue, including becoming a professor of linguistics, a foreign language teacher, a translator, a speech pathologist, an English teacher, a diplomat, a text-to-speech developer, and a language rights advocate. There’s no shortage of linguists needed worldwide, and the demand is only growing as the need for multi-language speakers becomes greater every year.  

#13

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

262points

ShaZam Beaubien

ShaZam Beaubien

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Yes ... that's why we can't do it

38points

#14

@TheAndrewNadeau Report

Final score:

261points

Maren Gärtner

Maren Gärtner

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Sometimes I can't remember a word in my native language but I know the English word.

110points

#15

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

256points

Stephanie Did It

Stephanie Did It

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I'm like Kelly Bundy, whenever I learn a new fact, I lose an old one.

66points

If you’re looking for a sign to start learning a new language, here’s your push! It’s never too late, and it doesn’t have to be scary. Becoming fluent seems like a monstrous task that deters many people from starting at all, but being able to hold a basic conversation is a huge accomplishment that won’t take too much time as long as you’re a dedicated learner. We all know apps like Duolingo aren’t the best way to learn a language, but they are one route to take to pick up basic phrases and vocabulary. Along with that, it’s important to get used to reading and hearing the new tongue as well, so be sure to watch lots of Netflix or Youtube videos in the language (preferably with subtitles so you will learn how to spell and pronounce the words). Watching shows and films in another language is also a great way to learn how people actually talk, rather than the phrasing that a textbook will teach you, which often sounds formal or awkward to native speakers.  

#16

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

254points

juni

juni

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Too much added sugar for a smoothie, right? Right?

51points

#17

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

250points

juni

juni

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This person knows what's up.

79points

#18

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

244points

Nathaniel

Nathaniel

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F**k me that's a lot of uses of the word f**k.

89points

To inspire you to expand your linguistic knowledge, we consulted this article from the BBC where engineer Benny Lewis, who has become nearly fluent in seven languages, provided his insight on how he was able to learn so much. “The biggest barrier in the beginning is the lack of confidence,” Lewis told the BBC. “That got better and better for me [as I spoke].” His first tip was to create a script for yourself that will allow you to respond to simple queries from strangers without having to revert back to your native language. Always use what you know, and remember that it’ll be obvious you’re a foreign speaker. Others are likely to be patient and understanding of the fact that you’re trying.

#19

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

239points

Nathaniel

Nathaniel

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That took me a moment!

68points

#20

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

222points

DE Ray

DE Ray

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I think it's also "I can listen to you speak with pretty good understanding all day, but ask me to respond and watch the failure".

72points

#21

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

218points

Autistic apricot

Autistic apricot

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That’s my language and I’ve given up, massive well done to anyone who has learnt it

79points

See Also on Bored Panda

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Overworked Employee Quits Because He Wasn't Getting A Fair Wage, Costs The Company $40 Million

When learning a new language, one of the first things you have to accept is that you’re going to make a fool out of yourself. You’ll likely do it often. But it’s just part of the process! Don’t be too hard on yourself, and simply learn from the mistakes you do make. It’s also best to fully immerse yourself in the language and around people who speak it fluently. “Practice makes perfect,” James North, associate director for instruction at the Foreign Service Institute, told the BBC. “But practice without feedback just makes perfect whatever you are practicing. The naïve learner does not have a perspective on what they are doing. It is really vital to have someone saying, ‘Yes you are on track’.”

#22

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

207points

Headless Roach

Headless Roach

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How about a burrito then? A little burrow.

45points

#23

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

203points

Jasmina Wetherley

Jasmina Wetherley

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upvotes

Never gets old.

51points

#24

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

199points

Nathaniel

Nathaniel

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In my latest novel, I have a man called Miller who murders people with power tools. Miller the killer driller.

110points

As fun and silly as the posts on this list are, learning about linguistics can be really beautiful. “Every language is like a one-of-a-kind species,” the Canada Institute of Linguistics explains on their site. “It captures unique conceptualizations of the world and has its own ways of constructing words, phrases and sentences for communicating ideas. As we compare the words and structures of various languages, we come to a greater understanding of the world we live in. Apart from simply understanding the intricacies of world languages, this knowledge can be applied to improving communication between people, contributing to translation activities, assisting in literacy efforts, and treating speech disorders.”

#25

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

196points

Headless Roach

Headless Roach

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Just say 'wooster' with a bite of bread in your mouth

75points

#26

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

195points

Stephanie Did It

Stephanie Did It

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You're so focaccia special

120points

#27

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

189points

Headless Roach

Headless Roach

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*proud owner of 6 feet*

103points

Have you learned something new about your own native tongue or another language from this list? We hope you’re enjoying all of the word play and fascinating observations about languages, and be sure to keep upvoting the posts you find most hilarious. If you’re interested in finding even more of these posts that will teach you a bit more about our world, you can find the Facebook page for Steve the Vagabond and Silly linguist right here! And if you have any other amusing observations about the English language or your own mother tongue, feel free to share them with your fellow pandas down below! 

#28

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

187points

Pernille.

Pernille.

Community Member • points

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But in the south west France they pronounce letters that aren't there so it might even out the national average.

85points

#29

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

180points

Do-nut touch da donut

Do-nut touch da donut

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🙃Hola, ¿como estas hoy? ¿Tu bien? Yo soy un donut🍩.🙂

42points

#30

@pakalupapitow Report

Final score:

179points

blobby_grrl

blobby_grrl

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Let's be insecure together!

31points

#31

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

177points

Panda Kicki

Panda Kicki

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The Serious Putty!

46points

See Also on Bored Panda

Bride Doesn't Include Wedding Dinner Price In Her Wedding Invites, Is Surprised To See Many Guests Canceling On Her After They Find Out

I Used AI To See What These 23 Popular Cartoon Characters Would Look Like In Real Life

#32

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

167points

Stephanie Did It

Stephanie Did It

Community Member • points

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Let's eat Grandma vs Let's eat, Grandma!

51points

#33

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

165points

Mia Tyrrell Swift

Mia Tyrrell Swift

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Amazing

23points

#34

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

159points

DE Ray

DE Ray

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OSHA inspectors spend all day looking at stuff that's nsfw.

44points

#35

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

153points

Laura Mende (Human)

Laura Mende (Human)

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PERKELE!!! SAATANA!!! 🔪🔪🔪

46points

#36

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

151points

Headless Roach

Headless Roach

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"Ain't much, but it's honest work"

35points

#37

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

147points

Zara the squid! 🦑

Zara the squid! 🦑

Community Member • points

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upvotes

Oh no! Clean it up, he’s Leaking all over the place!

29points

#38

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

140points

Doggo

Doggo

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Tbh, the over-buttered one looks really good

94points

#39

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

138points

Zara the squid! 🦑

Zara the squid! 🦑

Community Member • points

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upvotes

Oui, die ist sehr gut 🤭🤭😏

78points

#40

Steve the vagabond and silly linguist Report

Final score:

134points

Headless Roach

Headless Roach

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It means "upper shelf", you dirty dirty minds 🙃

46points

Note: this post originally had 129 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.