Below, we answer all frequently asked questions about the Etymology Calendar. Do you have a question that is not discussed here? Don’t hesitate to contact us!
(If you speak Dutch, click here to go to the Dutch website).
When will the calendar be available?
The calendar will be available mid-November. However, it is already possible to pre-order the calendar here.
Where can I buy the calendar?
Once the calendar is available for direct sale, you may find our selling points on this page.
Is the calendar interesting for non-linguists as well?
Yes, it most definitely is! The entries are written in such a way that no prior knowledge of linguistics is required. Moreover, we have only selected etymologies that are also interesting for non-linguists. For example, the calendar shows how everyday English words have a very unexpected origin, but also how about unexpected changes in meaning that occur in more exotic languages. As such, the contents of the calendar are an interesting read for everyone interested in language.
Is the calendar also fun for experienced linguists?
Yes, the calendar is also interesting to readers who are more experienced in the field of linguistics! Because we have selected the most interesting etymologies from all kinds of sources, even the most experienced linguist will learn plenty of new things.
Can I see a preview?
You may find some of the calendar entries for 2020 on this page.
Is the Etymology Calendar for 2020 different from the 2019 edition?
The 2020 Etymology Calendar is a republished version of the 2019 Calendar, with the dates adapted to 2020 and some other improvements. Please note: the English Etymology Calendar of 2020 is largely identical to the Etymology Calendar of 2019. If you already purchased the calendar last year, this edition will hardly contain anything new for you.
We are also publishing an entirely new edition, with new etymologies; however, this new edition is written in Dutch. If you want to read more about the Dutch version of the Etymology Calendar, click here.
In what language is the calendar written?
The calendar is written in English, but it discusses the etymologies of words from tens of different languages. Of course, you do not need prior knowledge of these languages: whenever words from foreign languages are discussed, a translation will always be provided, plus extra information if necessary.
Please note: the Etymology Calendar for 2020 is also available in Dutch (see above). If you want to read more about the Dutch version of the Etymology Calendar, click here.
What languages will be discussed?
The calendar contains a collection of etymologies from all kinds of different languages, from all over the world. We discuss many familiar English words, but etymologies from languages that are less well-known will also be featured, such as Latin, Ancient Greek, Russian, Japanese and Dutch. And every now and then, words from completely unfamiliar languages such as Basque, Guaraní and Manchu will be treated. In this way you will get an impression of how linguistics provides insight into languages that you may have never heard of before.
Where can I learn more about historical linguistics?
In case you would like to know more about this field of science, you can read our short introduction into historical linguistics here. We explain, for example, what exactly the term Proto-Indo-European means, and how linguists know so much about etymology. Is this still not enough and are you looking for more food for thought? Click here to go to a list of our favourite books on this matter.
Do you have a question that is not answered here? Do not hesitate to contact us, and we will gladly help you out!
