The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts
What is the most common word in the world, apart from brand names and the like? And how does the frequency vary across different languages, or across writing/speaking/signing? Roland, via email
Send new questions to nq@theguardian.com.
According to the Oxford English Corpus, the is top of the anglophone pops. Not surprisingly, no features on the OEC’s hot 100, but not yes (neither of which make the grade in the Irish language, which has no equivalents). EddieChorepost
Wait, are you saying Irish has no word for yes or no? How does that work? How do you answer simple questions? How do you express agreement or disagreement? How does a two-year-old child say anything at all if not no? second22soprano
