How language affects diversity | Elin Jones | TEDxYouth@ISHS

Summary

This engaging talk explores the undeniable power and influence of language on our perception of the world. Highlighting the fluid nature of languages with 7,117 living languages identified by Ethnologue, the speaker illustrates how language nuances, like gendered words in Welsh, can shape biases. Citing the Loftus and Palmer experiment, the presentation underscores how language can significantly alter eyewitness accounts. The speaker challenges the audience to consider the biases inherent in everyday language use and encourages mindful communication to foster inclusivity and genuine societal change.

Takeaways

• 📚 The script discusses the certainty of death, taxes, and languages, highlighting the ever-evolving nature of communication.
• 🌐 It mentions the Ethnologue, a directory of languages, which estimated 7,117 living languages in January 2020, emphasizing the diversity and richness of human communication.
• 🌱 The speaker points out that every culture has at least one language, which is essential for its perpetuation and identity.
• 🔠 The script touches on the complexity of languages, including the distinctions between spoken, written, and signed forms.
• 🌟 It argues that language has significant power to shape our worldview and the way we perceive others, often underestimated.
• 🙌 The audience is asked to reflect on their multilingual abilities, indicating a diverse and inclusive environment.
• 🐉 A personal anecdote about the Welsh language and the gendered nature of its nouns illustrates how language can carry cultural biases.
• 🧐 The script uses the example of a Welsh dragon to show how language bias from one's first language can affect the use of a second language.
• 🚗 It references the Loftus and Palmer experiment of 1974 to demonstrate how language can influence memory and perception, affecting legal practices.
• 🏳️‍🌈 The speaker shares a personal experience with gendered language in permission forms, highlighting the impact of such misuse on inclusivity and representation.
• 🤔 The script concludes with a call to action, encouraging the audience to be mindful of the words they use and their potential to perpetuate biases or foster inclusivity.

Q & A

What is the origin of the phrase 'death and taxes' mentioned in the script?

The phrase 'death and taxes' is attributed to Christopher Bullock from his comedy 'The Cobbler of Preston,' dating back to 1716. It signifies the certainties of life.

How many living languages were estimated by Ethnologue in January 2020?

Ethnologue estimated that there were 7,117 living languages in January 2020.

Why is language considered a constant in human culture?

Language is a constant in human culture because every culture has at least one language, which is essential for its perpetuation and communication.

What is the significance of the Welsh language's grammatical gender in the script's anecdote about the red dragon?

In the Welsh language, words can mutate based on the gender of the subject, which led to a humorous situation where a person insisted that a dragon, portrayed as female in Welsh, could not be a woman due to their English language bias.

What is the Loftus and Palmer experiment of 1974, and what does it demonstrate about language?

The Loftus and Palmer experiment of 1974 is a psychology study that demonstrates how the choice of words in questioning can significantly influence eyewitness testimony and memory, showing the powerful impact of language on perception.

How did the Loftus and Palmer experiment influence judicial interrogation practices?

The findings from the Loftus and Palmer experiment led to changes in judicial interrogation practices to make eyewitness testimony more reliable by being cautious about the language used to avoid leading or suggestive questions.

What is the issue with gendered permission forms as described in the script?

Gendered permission forms, by using phrases like 'my son/daughter' or 'he/she,' can inadvertently exclude non-binary individuals and foster a sense of exclusion from the wider community.

Why is the phrase 'manning up' considered problematic in the script?

The phrase 'manning up' is considered problematic because it sets a false expectation about masculinity and can create an environment where men find it harder to have meaningful emotional relationships, reinforcing gender stereotypes.

What is the main challenge presented to the audience in the script?

The main challenge is for individuals to become more aware of the words they use, to recognize any biases they may carry, and to consider how their language choices can include or exclude others, with the goal of positively affecting those around them.

How can language misuse in everyday life contribute to larger societal issues?

Language misuse in everyday life can contribute to societal issues by reinforcing stereotypes, biases, and exclusion, which can affect how certain demographics are viewed and treated in society.