Mother Tongue - Spoken Word

Unzipped Stories AFRICA

10 Nov 202201:05

Summary

TLDRThe speaker passionately addresses a girl in English class, defending their accent as a symbol of survival and cultural identity. They describe their struggle with language as a battle between cultures within their own speech, and their accent as a compass guiding them home. The speaker refuses to apologize for their mother tongue and challenges the girl to learn and respect their language, asserting the dignity of their identity.

Takeaways

🌐 The speaker humorously addresses the challenges of communicating in a non-native language.
👩‍🏫 The accent is portrayed as a symbol of survival and a testament to the endurance of the speaker's mother tongue.
🗣️ The speaker expects respect for their unique way of speaking, as every word is a struggle and a triumph.
🔊 The speech is likened to a riot within the mouth, showcasing the internal conflict of language.
🏭 The speaker's mouth is described as a battlefield, a metaphor for the clash of cultures within their identity.
🧭 The accent serves as a compass for the speaker, guiding them back to their roots and heritage.
🔥 The tongue is in a constant state of war, striving to decolonize and maintain its identity.
🙅‍♀️ The speaker refuses to be ashamed or silenced, asserting the dignity of their linguistic identity.
💬 The speaker challenges the girl in English class to learn and respect their language and identity.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the transcript?
-The main theme of the transcript is the struggle and pride associated with maintaining one's native language and accent in a foreign language environment.
What does the speaker describe their accent as?
-The speaker describes their accent as a story of survival, a riot within their mouth, and a traumatized survivor.
Why does the speaker feel the need to defend their accent?
-The speaker defends their accent because it represents their identity, cultural heritage, and the struggle to maintain their mother tongue in a foreign language environment.
What does the speaker suggest the girl in English class should do?
-The speaker suggests that the girl in English class should learn to respect and understand the speaker's language and accent.
How does the speaker view the process of speaking in a non-native language?
-The speaker views the process of speaking in a non-native language as a battlefield and a clash of cultures within their own mouth.
What is the significance of the phrase 'my tongue is forever at war with itself'?
-The phrase 'my tongue is forever at war with itself' signifies the internal struggle the speaker faces in trying to decolonize their speech and reconcile their native language with the language they are trying to master.
Why does the speaker say their accent is how they find their way home?
-The speaker says their accent is how they find their way home because it is a connection to their roots and a reminder of their origin, despite the challenges of speaking a foreign language.
What does the speaker mean by 'fighting to decolonize itself'?
-The speaker means that they are constantly trying to assert their native language's influence and authenticity against the dominant language they are using, which is often associated with colonial powers.
Why does the speaker refuse to apologize for their mother's legacy?
-The speaker refuses to apologize for their mother's legacy because it represents their cultural identity and the importance of honoring one's roots and heritage.
What is the speaker's stance on the dignity of their identity?
-The speaker believes there is no dignity in denying their identity and therefore will not be ashamed or refrain from expressing their unique linguistic and cultural background.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ Embracing Linguistic Identity

The speaker addresses a girl in English class, sharing a personal narrative about the challenges and pride associated with speaking a non-native language. The accent, described as a 'survivor' and 'traumatized,' symbolizes the speaker's cultural heritage and the struggle to maintain it amidst a dominant language. The speaker expresses the desire for respect and understanding, emphasizing that their speech is a reflection of their identity and a means to connect with their roots. They assert their right to speak their name and language without shame or apology, urging the girl to learn and appreciate their unique linguistic background.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Accent

An accent refers to the distinct way a person pronounces words in a language, often influenced by their native language or regional dialect. In the script, the accent is portrayed as a symbol of survival and identity, reflecting the speaker's origin and the struggle to maintain their linguistic heritage. The speaker's accent is described as a 'Story of Survival' and a 'Bible between subconscious tongue, tits and vocal cord,' indicating the deep emotional connection and pride associated with their native language.

💡Communication

Communication is the act of conveying or exchanging information, ideas, or feelings. The script highlights the challenges of communicating in a non-native language, describing it as a 'painful attempt.' It emphasizes the emotional and psychological struggle behind every word spoken, as each utterance is a 'riot within my mouth,' suggesting the internal conflict and effort required to express oneself in a foreign tongue.

💡Respect

Respect is the feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. The speaker expects respect for their language and accent, viewing it as an integral part of their identity. The demand for respect is a call for acknowledgment and validation of the speaker's cultural background and the effort it takes to communicate in a language that is not their own.

💡Identity

Identity refers to the characteristics determining who or what a person or thing is. In the script, identity is closely tied to language and accent, with the speaker asserting that their accent is how they 'find their way home.' It is a declaration of self that cannot be denied, and the speaker refuses to be ashamed or apologize for their 'mother's Legacy,' indicating that identity is a core aspect of their self-respect and dignity.

💡Dignity

Dignity is the state or quality of being worthy of esteem or respect. The script contrasts the concept of dignity with the act of denying one's identity. The speaker asserts that there is 'no dignity in denying my identity,' suggesting that embracing one's true self, including one's language and accent, is essential for maintaining personal dignity and self-worth.

💡Trauma

Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. The script uses the term 'traumatized Survivor' to describe the speaker's tongue, indicating the psychological impact of being forced to adapt to a new language. This trauma is a result of the 'clash of uneven cultures' within the speaker, reflecting the internal struggle and sense of loss associated with language adaptation.

💡Decolonize

Decolonize refers to the process of removing the influence or control of a foreign power. In the context of the script, 'decolonize itself' refers to the speaker's ongoing struggle to reclaim their native language and culture amidst the dominance of a foreign language. It represents a fight against cultural assimilation and an attempt to preserve and celebrate one's linguistic heritage.

💡Legacy

Legacy is something transmitted by or received from one's ancestors or predecessors. The speaker's 'mother's Legacy' refers to the cultural and linguistic inheritance passed down from their family. It is a source of pride and identity, and the speaker refuses to apologize for it, emphasizing the importance of honoring one's roots and the influence of family on one's identity.

💡Alien Fluency

Alien Fluency refers to the feeling of being out of place or disconnected when speaking a non-native language. The script describes the speaker as 'lost in this alien fluency,' highlighting the sense of disorientation and the struggle to find a sense of belonging in a language that is not inherently their own.

💡Slaughterhouse

A slaughterhouse is a place where animals are killed for food. In the script, the speaker metaphorically calls their mouth a 'slaughterhouse,' suggesting the violent and chaotic process of speaking a non-native language. It illustrates the internal conflict and the emotional turmoil experienced when trying to communicate in a language that feels foreign and challenging.

💡Tongue

Tongue, in this context, symbolizes the speaker's voice and language. The script describes the tongue as being 'Forever at war with itself,' indicating the ongoing internal struggle to balance the use of a non-native language with the preservation of one's native language and cultural identity. It is a central element in the narrative of cultural and linguistic survival.

Highlights

The speaker humorously addresses the challenge of communicating in a non-native language.

The accent is described as a story of survival and endurance of the mother tongue.

A call for respect towards the speaker's way of speaking, despite it being different.

Each word is likened to a struggle within the speaker's mouth.

The speaker's mouth is metaphorically called a battlefield for cultural dominance.

The accent is portrayed as a guide for finding one's way home.

The tongue is described as being in a constant state of decolonization.

A plea for understanding and patience regarding the speaker's accent.

A refusal to be ashamed of one's identity or mother's language.

An invitation for the listener to learn and appreciate the speaker's language.

The speaker's tongue is at war with itself, fighting to lose and regain its identity.

The importance of not denying one's identity for the sake of dignity.

A challenge to the listener to learn and understand the speaker's perspective.

The speaker's tongue is a traumatized survivor in an alien language environment.

The speaker will not apologize for the legacy of their mother's language.

An emphasis on the pride in one's linguistic heritage and identity.

The speaker's speech is a product of a 'slaughterhouse' of cultural clash.