Lists

Most of us make lists in some form or other - from essential groceries to reasons to feel positive about life. In this programme Linguistics Researcher Jo Nolan talks to Michael about her interest in the language we use in their making and their uses in literature and society. Jo says the language we use in our lists is idiolectal - it reflects our inner selves, whether in our abbreviations, our choice of spelling, in-words, jokes etc. Her interest some would say obsession with lists extends to her collecting other people's shopping lists discarded in supermarket trolleys to gain what Michael and Jo describe as portholes and portals into people's lives. Producer: Maggie Ayre Produced in partnership with The Open University

You can listen to Lists online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Lists is an episode from Word of Mouth by BBC.

This episode is 27:40 long.

This episode was published on Jun 5, 2025.

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