The Next Big Thing

McSorley's Old Ale House

Lost in Sound

Friday, January 16, 2004

Living in a hearing world when you’re not hearing. Listening to music that’s fallen out of tempo, but not out of pitch. And losing oneself, or at least trying to, amidst the clinking mugs and collegial conversation at McSorley’s Wonderful Saloon. Also, breaking news about the Word of the Year from the floor of the American Dialect Society’s annual convention.

Listen to the whole show

Convention 2004 – the Nominees

Reporting from the floor of the American Dialect Society’s annual convention is correspondent Sean Cole, along with language analyst Erin McKean. They’re standing by to find out who is favored among the nominations for Word of the Year 2003.

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Slowed Down Sound

We’re used to the idea of slowing down a moving image in order to find things we miss at normal speed. But what about slowing down sound? Musician and Berklee College of Music instructor Matt Glaser explores the possibilities with computer software that allows one to slow down music without changing the pitch. Produced by Emily Botein.

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Not Hearing

When Joanne Karpowitz was growing up, there were few resources available for the severely hearing impaired. So she learned to make do, to the point where now she is often able to “pass” as hearing, though in fact she can barely hear at all. But as she’s learned, passing comes at a price. Karpowitz shares her experiences of not hearing in a hearing world with The Next Big Thing’s Julie Subrin.

Click here for a transcript of this piece.

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Convention 2004 – The Winner

Back to the convention floor, where delegates are voting on Word of the Year. Sean Cole continues his coverage, and catches up with language analyst Erin McKean for the post-election wrap up. Produced by Curtis Fox.

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Raise a Glass

Some of Joseph Mitchell’s most remembered writing is from his book titled “McSorley’s Wonderful Saloon.” As the saloon embarks (with little fanfare) on its 150th year, host Dean Olsher plumbs the place for memories of all kinds. Excerpts from Mitchell’s essay read by Wayne Shulmister.

To listen to the bartender reading a poem about McSorley’s, click here.
You can find more McSorley’s poems at this website.