Embracing Multilingualism and Eradicating Linguistic Bias | Karen Leung | TEDxWWU

Summary

The speaker addresses the issue of language discrimination, highlighting their family's experiences as immigrants in the US. They emphasize the importance of multilingualism and the cognitive benefits it offers, challenging the notion of 'speaking American.' The speaker calls for understanding and communication, urging the audience to embrace linguistic diversity and to value the message over the manner of its delivery.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker addresses the issue of stereotyping and discrimination faced by their family in the US due to their race, ethnicity, and language.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker introduces their parents as highly intelligent individuals who have overcome language barriers and thrived in the US, despite not being fluent in English.
• 😅 The humor in the speech highlights the challenges of naming children in a different language, where phonetic sounds may not translate well to English.
• 🗣️ The speaker demonstrates that their parents' English, though not conventional, is understandable and shows linguistic creativity by combining English vocabulary with Cantonese sentence structure.
• 🙅‍♂️ The speech refutes the common misconception that the US has an official language, emphasizing that there is no requirement for immigrants to 'speak American'.
• 📚 It points out a double standard where native English speakers learning a foreign language are praised, while immigrants learning English face social shame and pressure to conform.
• 🌐 The benefits of being multilingual are highlighted, including improved cognitive flexibility, attention span, multitasking abilities, and problem-solving skills.
• 🤔 The speaker questions the importance of perfect English pronunciation and the assumption that proficiency in one language defines intelligence, advocating for the recognition of multilingualism.
• 🎨 The speech calls for the appreciation of different expressions in art and language, suggesting that valuing diversity can lead to embracing different languages and dialects.
• 📣 A call to action is made for individuals to step up and take responsibility for understanding and communicating with others, regardless of language differences.
• 👂 The importance of listening and trying to understand others, rather than expecting them to assimilate, is emphasized as a way to foster positive impact and community improvement.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's discourse?

The main theme of the speaker's discourse is the challenge and discrimination faced by immigrants, particularly in relation to language, and the importance of embracing multilingualism and cultural diversity.

Why does the speaker mention the names of their siblings, Carmen, Karen, and Ricky?

The speaker mentions the names of their siblings to illustrate the challenges faced by their parents in adapting to the English language, as the 'r' sound does not exist in Cantonese, leading to the adaptation with a 'w' sound.

What does the speaker mean by 'speaking American'?

The speaker refers to 'speaking American' as the expectation or demand for immigrants to conform to a native English speaker's way of speaking, despite the United States not having an official language.

Why does the speaker argue that it is a double standard when native English speakers learn a foreign language?

The speaker argues that it is a double standard because native English speakers receive praise for learning a foreign language, whereas immigrants learning English as a second or third language often face social shame and are criticized for not speaking 'perfectly'.

What cognitive benefits does the speaker attribute to being multilingual?

The speaker attributes enhanced cognitive flexibility, attention span, multitasking abilities, and problem-solving skills to being multilingual.

How does the speaker relate the benefits of being multilingual to physical exercise?

The speaker relates the benefits of being multilingual to physical exercise by likening the cognitive benefits of learning multiple languages to giving the brain an intense workout, which can lead to a healthier brain and potentially delay Alzheimer's and dementia.

What does the speaker suggest as a solution to the discrimination faced by immigrants due to language?

The speaker suggests that instead of expecting immigrants to assimilate, there should be a shared communicative burden where everyone tries to understand and communicate with each other, valuing the messages conveyed over the manner in which they are said.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of understanding the message over the manner of speaking?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the message over the manner of speaking to highlight that communication is about conveying and comprehending information, not about adhering to a specific accent or language structure.

What is the significance of the speaker's personal experience with counting in Cantonese while working?

The speaker's personal experience of counting in Cantonese while working demonstrates the cognitive flexibility and multitasking abilities of a multilingual brain, showcasing the practical advantages of being multilingual in everyday life.

How does the speaker view the concept of the United States as a 'melting pot'?

The speaker views the concept of the United States as a 'melting pot' as an ideal that is not fully realized, as there is still discrimination and undervaluation of multilingualism and cultural diversity.