The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
Opinion | Language cannot be legislated

Opinion | Language cannot be legislated

By Livia LaMarca, Assistant Opinions Editor • April 3, 2025
The United States is a multicultural nation rich in a variety of ethnicities, languages and lifestyles. To make one identity the standard is to erase the linguistic and cultural diversity that has defined America since its inception.
The entrance to the Less-Commonly-Taught Languages Department on the ground floor of the Cathedral of Learning.

Hiring freeze raises staffing concerns for Pitt language departments  

By Kyra McCague, Senior Staff Writer • March 26, 2025
As preparation begins for the 2025-26 academic year, Pitt’s language departments face uncertainty amid the hiring freeze.
A bulletin board outside of the Less-Commonly-Taught Languages Center.

Pitt’s Center for African Studies adds three new African languages

By Gabriella Garvin, Senior Staff Writer • October 20, 2023

Beginning this semester, Pitt students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in two new African languages, with one more on the way in the spring. At the beginning of the fall semester, Pitt’s...

Opinion | Language is a free-for-all and you should make up more words

Opinion | Language is a free-for-all and you should make up more words

By Thomas Riley, Opinions Editor • October 8, 2023
We should not submit to the restrictions of the dictionary and instead make up new words as we see fit.
A United States passport.

International TEFL Academy expands opportunities for recent graduates

By Gabriella Garvin, Staff Writer • October 25, 2022
The International TEFL Academy started in 2010 to help people learn to teach English as a foreign language. It offers a four-week series of educational training sessions that are available in the U.S., Latin America, Asia and Europe.
A Pitt student texts about homework at the William Pitt Union on Sunday evening.

Opinion | Texting is a language of its own

By Anita Bengert, For The Pitt News • December 10, 2021
Informal literacy is emerging and allows a new era of writers to explore their creative style.
Opinion | Why women should say b—ch more

Opinion | Why women should say b—ch more

By Anna Fischer, For The Pitt News • September 15, 2021
Those that linguistic sexism targets must have reclamation.
Cam Newton became the target of people who just don't like “showboating” and celebrations.

Language should bolster Black athletes in sports

By Stephen Thompson, Sports Editor • July 7, 2020
A 15-1 record, more than 4,500 total yards and 45 touchdowns, each one capped with a spirited end zone dance and football gifted to a child in the stands. But inevitably, Newton became the target of people who just don't like all the darn “showboating” and celebrations.
Merriam-Webster announced via Twitter on Tuesday that the pronoun “they” can now be used in reference to a “single person whose gender identity is nonbinary.”

Editorial: Merriam-Webster is helping legitimize non binary language

By The Pitt News Editorial Board • September 17, 2019
The move by Merriam-Webster, announced via Twitter on Tuesday, lends legitimacy to a term that is liberating for many nonbinary people who don’t identify with traditionally male and female pronouns.
Mexican author Valeria Luiselli at Hay Festival 2016.

Opinion | Know violence in vocabulary

By Leah Mensch, Staff Columnist • March 19, 2019
In Mexico City, Valeria Luiselli is a name most households know and love. In the United States, the author is lesser known, though that’s begun to change.
Load More Stories