A man of many words

2026-06-23 · Source: MIT Technology Review · Field: Science & Research — Social Sciences & Behavioral Studies, Theology & Religious Studies · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, long

Summary

Brian Sietsema, a linguist and Greek Orthodox priest, has built a unique career shaped by a childhood fascination with the word "akimbo." After initially pursuing engineering, he shifted to religious studies and linguistics at the University of Michigan, then earned a doctorate in linguistics from MIT in 1989, specializing in generative grammar and tonal patterns in Bantu languages. He subsequently worked as a pronunciation editor at Merriam-Webster, overseeing the 10th edition of "Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary" (released 1993), introducing the International Phonetic Alphabet, and defining interjectional uses of "like." In 2003, he began his long-standing role at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, becoming an associate pronouncer and later head of a team, a position he has held for 24 years. His dual calling also involves serving as Father Mark at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Lansing, Michigan, where he applies his linguistic skills to theological interpretation, notably defending reason during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key takeaway

For linguists or scholars considering interdisciplinary careers, Brian Sietsema's journey highlights the value of integrating diverse fields like philology and theology. You should embrace deep curiosity and rigorous analytical skills, as these are transferable across seemingly disparate domains. Your ability to discern precise meaning, whether in ancient texts or modern speech, can lead to unique professional contributions and a fulfilling dual calling.

Key insights

A deep curiosity about language can lead to diverse, impactful, and interconnected professional paths.

Principles

• Linguistic analysis clarifies textual interpretation.
• Curiosity drives profound career development.
• Attention to detail reveals hidden meaning.

Method

The article describes Sietsema's process at Merriam-Webster: listening to radio/TV for pronunciations, recording them on index cards with context, and using these citations for dictionary updates.

In practice

• Explore etymology to understand word origins.
• Apply linguistic rigor to interpret complex texts.
• Observe what is unsaid in communication.

Topics

• Linguistics
• Lexicography
• Generative Grammar
• Scripps National Spelling Bee
• Greek Orthodox Theology
• Etymology

Best for: General Interest

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by MIT Technology Review.