Dr. Anne Curzan

Biography

Anne Curzan is a prominent scholar in the field of English language and linguistics, exploring the history of the English language and how language has evolved over the past 1500 years. She examines the shifting attitudes towards words and grammar, often sharing her insights through radio and public speaking. Curzan is the host of 'That’s What We Say,' a weekly radio show on NPR and has contributed to the Lingua Franca blog at the Chronicle of Higher Education for six years. Her TED talk, 'What Makes a Word Real?' has garnered over 2.1 million views. As an award-winning professor, she has received several accolades for her teaching and research, including the University’s Henry Russel Award and multiple Faculty Recognition Awards. Curzan has authored multiple books and dozens of articles and is known for her engaging courses on linguistic topics. Her recent best-selling book, 'Says Kinder, Funner: A Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words,' has been featured in popular podcasts and national newspapers. She has also co-authored the textbook 'English Works: A Linguistic Introduction.' In 2016, she received the Linguistics, Language, and Public Award from the Linguistic Society of America for her contributions to the field.

Research Interests