Jamila Lyiscott: 3 ways to speak English | TED

Summary

The speaker in this powerful monologue explores the complexities of language and identity, expressing the fluidity of their communication across different social contexts. They challenge the Eurocentric ideals of language by embracing their 'articulate' ability to switch between three languages—reflecting home, school, and friends. The speech critiques the imposition of linguistic standards and celebrates the diversity of language as a form of resistance and cultural affirmation, advocating for the recognition of multilingualism as a strength rather than a deficit.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ The speaker is identified as 'articulate', emphasizing their ability to express themselves clearly and effectively in various contexts.
• 🎓 The script highlights the speaker's use of language in an academic setting, showcasing their ability to answer questions with urban connotations without any misdirected intention.
• 🏠 The speaker's father's question is answered in a way that demonstrates the speaker's linguistic flexibility, using language that is appropriate for home.
• 🗣️🏢 The ability to 'switch it up' on the block and in class shows the speaker's mastery over different linguistic codes, adapting to different social environments.
• 📚 The speaker questions the representation in educational materials, pointing out the lack of content about their people, indicating a desire for more inclusive curriculums.
• 🌐 The script discusses the multifaceted nature of the English language and its susceptibility to transformation, challenging the notion of a single 'correct' way to speak.
• 🤔 It challenges the idea that 'broken English' is ignorant, pointing out that even those considered articulate can sound foolish to others, like the British.
• 📖 The speaker humorously corrects their professor's greeting, suggesting that 'what's good' is the proper way to greet on the block, poking fun at linguistic norms.
• 📝 The speaker corrects their mother's grammar, emphasizing the importance of following linguistic rules, even in informal settings.
• 🌍 The script touches on the divine origin of language, suggesting that the only true authority on language is the one who declared it 'good' in the beginning.
• 👥 The speaker identifies as a tri-lingual orator, using different languages for home, school, and friends, showing a complex relationship with language and identity.
• 🔄 The speaker sometimes mixes up their languages, feeling a sense of dissonance, which they liken to 'cooking in the bathroom', indicating the struggle with linguistic identity.
• 🚫 The speaker acknowledges the historical theft of their language and the brokenness of their own history, using 'broken English' as a reminder of this past.
• 🌈 The speaker is fed up with Eurocentric ideals and uses a composite version of the language to challenge these norms and assert the value of their own linguistic heritage.
• 💼 The script ends with the speaker applying for a job as a 'tri-lingual' individual, aiming to diversify the consumer market and demonstrate their linguistic capabilities.
• 🤝 The speaker is ready to show their ability to use different greetings like 'What’s good', 'Whatagwan', and 'Hello' in an interview, embracing their multilingualism.

Q & A

What does the term 'articulate' mean in the context of the script?

In the script, 'articulate' refers to the speaker's ability to express themselves clearly and effectively in speech, particularly in terms of enunciation and diction.

How does the speaker use language to navigate different social contexts?

The speaker demonstrates the ability to switch between different linguistic styles or 'languages' depending on the social context, such as using a more academic language in the classroom and a more colloquial language on the block.

What is the speaker's stance on the idea of a single 'correct' way to speak English?

The speaker challenges the notion of a single 'correct' way to speak English, arguing that language is multifaceted and subject to transformation, and that even 'articulate' Americans can sound foolish to the British.

Why does the speaker say that they treat all three of their languages as equals?

The speaker treats all three of their languages as equals because they believe in the validity and importance of each linguistic style, whether it's used at home, school, or with friends.

What does the speaker mean when they say 'I know that I had to borrow your language, because mines was stolen'?

This statement reflects the speaker's awareness of the historical context of language and cultural imperialism, suggesting that their own language and cultural heritage were suppressed or taken away, leading them to adopt the language of the colonizers.

How does the speaker feel about the Eurocentric ideals of language?

The speaker expresses frustration with Eurocentric ideals of language, which often devalue non-standard or non-European linguistic forms and perpetuate racial disparities.