keeping it real with language differences

In a searing commentary, linguist John McWhorter rebukes the notion that polysemies (you know, words with multiple meanings) in indigenous languages denote some superior mystique. The post is Mohawk Philosophy Lessons at Language Log.

Similarly, LL regular Geoffery Pullum has exhaustively disproven the popular myth that Eskimos have dozens of words for snow. Despite how many articles and posts he writes, even a book called The Great Eskimo Vocabulary Hoax and other irreverent essays on the study of language, this one just won't die.

So if you're here and this stuff is new to you, puh-leez, take a moment ...