What your speaking style, like, says about you | Vera Regan | TEDxDublin

Summary

In this insightful talk, a sociolinguist explores the dynamic nature of language, emphasizing that it's not static but evolves with society. She highlights how young women often drive language change and discusses the importance of word order as an invariant aspect of language. The speaker delves into the variable use of the word 'like' and its social significance, showing how it varies across different English dialects. She also examines how Polish migrants adapt their language use to reflect their evolving identities, demonstrating that language is a powerful tool for expressing identity and aspirations.

Takeaways

• 👂 Sociolinguists are like professional eavesdroppers, focusing on how people use language rather than what they say.
• 🌐 Language is always changing and sociolinguists accept that it has a life of its own, with new elements constantly emerging.
• 👧 Young women are often the innovators in language, driving changes and setting trends in speech.
• 🧠 Babies come 'wired' with an innate sense of word order for their native language, which is a fundamental and unchanging aspect of language.
• 🔍 Variation in language, such as different ways of saying the same thing, is where sociolinguists find the most interest and value.
• 🌐 The word 'like' is used differently in various English dialects, showing both global and local variations.
• 🇮🇪 In Ireland, the use of 'like' varies among different social groups, reflecting age, gender, and regional identity.
• 🇵🇱 Polish speakers in Ireland adapt their use of 'like' to mirror the patterns of native speakers, showing language as a tool for identity and integration.
• 🇫🇷 In France, Polish migrants' use of negation in French reflects their level of identification with French culture and their personal aspirations.
• 🏆 Individuals' language use can be highly variable and telling, reflecting their backgrounds, identities, and life choices.

Q & A

What is a sociolinguist?

A sociolinguist is a professional who studies the role of language in society, focusing on how people use language rather than what they say.

Why do sociolinguists consider language to be meaningful?

For sociolinguists, language is meaningful because it reflects social dynamics and can indicate aspects of a speaker's identity, social context, and attitudes.

What is an example of language variation mentioned in the script?

An example of language variation is the use of the word 'like' in different ways, such as clause marginal ('You know, like?') and clause medial ('He was, like, way tall').

How do young women influence language according to the script?

The script suggests that young women are often the innovators of language, driving changes and introducing new linguistic trends.

What is an invariant aspect of language mentioned in the script?

Word order is mentioned as an invariant aspect of language, with English speakers having an innate understanding of subject-verb-object structure.

Why do linguists not disapprove of language changes?

Linguists do not disapprove of language changes because they recognize that language is dynamic and has a life of its own, and because they understand that language change is a natural part of societal evolution.

What did the study on the use of 'like' among Polish speakers in Ireland reveal?

The study revealed that Polish speakers in Ireland were adopting the use of 'like' similar to native speakers, with some using it in a way that reflected a global identity and others using it to align with a local Irish identity.

How does language variation help in expressing identity?

Language variation, like the use of 'like', can act as a tool to project an identity, similar to how accessories or body language might, and can indicate a person's aspirations, stances, and attitudes.

What was the significance of the study's findings on the use of negation among Polish speakers in France?

The study's findings on the use of negation among Polish speakers in France showed that their language use reflected their evolving identities and their level of identification with French culture.

Why did the script mention the tale of the basketball player and the book seller?

The tale of the basketball player and the book seller illustrates how individuals' language use can vary significantly even among a similar demographic, highlighting the importance of personal narratives and aspirations in language variation.

What is the main takeaway from the script regarding language and identity?

The main takeaway is that language is not just a tool for communication but also a powerful indicator of identity, reflecting and performing who people are and who they aspire to be.