What words are truly universal? A writer's take on language: Justice B. Hill
Michelle Rivera
Michelle Rivera
Reporter · Cleveland, OH
Michelle, an Ohio State University graduate, has spent over six years focusing on community issues in Cleveland, including social justice and local initiatives. She has previously written for NPR's local affiliates, where she honed her storytelling skills to highlight diverse community voices.
More from Michelle →Reporter · Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 10:30 AM · 1 min read
CLEVELAND, Ohio—I don’t need to read anything about which words are universal. If you travel a lot (and I do), you know those words, which number more than a dozen. Stand tall on a street corner in Buenos Aires or Berlin, and you’ll see no confused looks if you yell the word “taxi.”