Language

From 1 July the government's new language requirements apply to municipalities and private operators under the Tidö Agreement.

June 25, 2026 Reported by AI

City councilors in Cottbus have approved an AfD motion banning the use of gender language in administration.

Swedish newspapers engage readers with quizzes on new words gaining traction in 2025. Nerikes Allehanda and Sydsvenskan have published interactive tests to challenge vocabulary.

December 27, 2025 Reported by AI

In Japan, certain birthdays serve as major milestones with distinct traditions. Ages such as 60 and 77 are celebrated for their cultural significance, often marking personal and historical cycles in life.

The Japan Times has released a fully revised edition of A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar, 36 years after its 1989 debut. The update revises example sentences and grammar notes to capture shifts in Japanese, from politeness and gendered speech to modern takes on core points like to iu and da/desu.

November 05, 2025 Reported by AI

On November 5, 2025, 30 words and phrases were nominated for Japan's buzzword of the year award. The list includes the Japanese nickname 'Chappii' for ChatGPT, 'Toranpu kanzei' for Trump tariffs, and 'onkaji' for online casinos, along with terms related to the election of the country's first female prime minister.