I have been critical of NPR’s Code Switch program in the past (in the very distant past, before Corona times). But I have to say that they have really stepped up their game when it comes to episodes about language. (Their other episodes are good as always, but I’m a language scholar so I can judge those ones better)
Here are a few of their recent-ish episodes that discuss language. They have interesting guests and they discuss language in a nuanced way. But they still manage to stay focused on the topic at hand – something I definitely struggle with when talking about language.
https://www.npr.org/2026/03/21/nx-s1-5755013/what-trumps-language-has-in-common-with-cult-language
Check them out!
Thanks for the picks, the episode on how dictionary editors decide to define slurs sounds especially interesting. It’s nice to hear a language scholar say the show stays focused while still treating the topic with nuance.