This week’s new questions

How did the North American accent develop, given that people from all over Europe settled there in the 17th century? And what happens to ants that are displaced far from their colony?

5 April 2023

2FERAXY Crowded groups of people crossing the street at Times Square during rush hour — Mirko Chianucci/Alamy

People from all over Europe settled in North America in the 17th century, so how and when did the North American accent develop?

John Howes,

Cardiff, UK

detail of bee or honeybee in Latin Apis Mellifera, european or western honey bee; Shutterstock ID 1544424374; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: - — Daniel Prudek/Shutterstock

If an ant or bee ends up far from its colony (perhaps by artificial means such as being carried by a car) what will happen to it?

Maria Felicen,

Bristol, UK

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