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.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ The Power of Language and Cultural Bias

The speaker introduces the concept that while death and taxes are certain, language is also a constant and powerful force in shaping our worldview. They highlight the adaptability of languages, which number over 7,000 according to Ethnologue, and emphasize the influence of language on perception. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about the Welsh language and its gendered nouns, illustrating how language bias from one's first language can affect the use of a second language. This is exemplified through a story about the Welsh flag's red dragon, which is female, and the confusion it caused when someone used the male term in a joke. The speaker invites the audience to consider the biases they might carry through language.

05:01

🎈 The Loftus and Palmer Experiment: Language's Impact on Memory

This section delves into the famous 1974 Loftus and Palmer experiment, which demonstrated the significant impact of language on eyewitness memory. The speaker uses the analogy of balloons moving and crashing into each other, asking different groups of the audience to describe the event with slightly varied language. The experiment showed that the choice of words can influence the perceived speed of the collision, highlighting the power of language to shape perception and memory. The speaker points out that this understanding has led to changes in judicial interrogation to prevent the misuse of language that could skew testimonies.

10:01

🏳️‍🌈 Challenging Language Misuse for Inclusivity

The speaker discusses the misuse of language in everyday life, such as gendered permission forms that can inadvertently exclude non-binary individuals and others who do not fit traditional gender binaries. They share their experience participating in a journalism course, where they wrote about this issue, and the negative impact such language misuses have on marginalized groups. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing and challenging these biases in language to foster a more inclusive society. They conclude by issuing a challenge to the audience to reflect on the words they use and how they might perpetuate biases or exclusion, encouraging them to consider the changes they can make for positive impact.

Keywords

💡Language

Language is a system of communication that consists of the development, use, and understanding of complex systems of symbols and signs. In the video, language is presented as a powerful tool that shapes our perception of the world and influences how we interact with others. It is highlighted as a core element that adapts to our needs and is a reflection of our culture, as seen when discussing the Welsh language and its gendered words.

💡Cultural Bias

Cultural bias refers to the inclination towards the interests and values of a particular culture, often leading to a preference for or against certain ideas or practices. The video script illustrates how cultural bias can be transferred through language, affecting how jokes are told or how genders are perceived, as in the example of the Welsh dragon being female but perceived as male due to English cultural influence.

💡Ethnologue

Ethnologue is a comprehensive directory of the world's known living languages, providing estimates and details about each. The script mentions Ethnologue to emphasize the vast number of living languages, indicating the diversity and complexity of human communication.

💡Loftus and Palmer Experiment

The Loftus and Palmer Experiment of 1974 is a famous psychological study that demonstrated how language can influence eyewitness memory and testimony. The video uses a balloon analogy to explain the experiment, showing how different words used to describe the same event can lead to varied perceptions and recollections.

💡Gendered Language

Gendered language refers to the use of language that distinguishes or addresses people based on their gender. The script criticizes the use of gendered terms in permission forms, arguing that it excludes non-binary individuals and perpetuates a binary view of gender, which can lead to further exclusion and misunderstanding.

💡Misuse of Language

Misuse of language in the video is portrayed as the incorrect or inappropriate use of words that can lead to misunderstandings or perpetuate stereotypes. Examples include the misgendering of the Welsh dragon and the impact of language on eyewitness testimony, highlighting the consequences of not being mindful of the words we use.

💡Dialects

Dialects are variations of a language spoken in different regions or social groups, often with distinct pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. The script touches on dialects as part of the broader discussion on the diversity of languages and the complexities of communication within and between cultures.

💡Non-Binary

Non-binary is a term used to describe a gender identity that doesn't fit within the traditional binary understanding of male and female. The video discusses the challenges faced by non-binary individuals, particularly in relation to language and representation, and how misuse of language can contribute to their exclusion.

💡Inclusion

Inclusion in the context of the video refers to the act of involving or incorporating individuals or groups, particularly those who may be marginalized or underrepresented. The speaker calls for more inclusive language to ensure that all demographics are represented and not excluded due to the words we use.

💡Representation

Representation in the video is about the depiction or portrayal of individuals or groups in various forms of media and communication. The lack of casual representation for non-binary students is highlighted as a problem, as it can lead to further misunderstanding and exclusion.

💡Eyewitness Testimony

Eyewitness testimony is the account given by a person who has witnessed an event, often used in legal contexts. The video script discusses how the Loftus and Palmer Experiment has influenced the way judicial interrogations are conducted to make eyewitness testimonies more reliable, emphasizing the impact of language on such accounts.

Highlights

Introduction of the concept that, along with death and taxes, language is a certainty in life.

Ethnologue's estimation of 7,117 living languages in January 2020, emphasizing the diversity and adaptability of languages.

The idea that every culture has at least one language for perpetuation and the complexity of language families and dialects.

The power of language to shape our worldview and the people around us, often underestimated.

The audience interaction with a show of hands for those who speak a language other than English.

The impact of language bias from one's first language on a second language, illustrated with a Welsh family anecdote.

The Loftus and Palmer experiment of 1974 and its influence on judicial interrogation to improve eyewitness testimony reliability.

Demonstration of how different words used to describe the same event can significantly alter perceptions and responses.

The average speed difference of 8.7 miles per hour in eyewitness accounts due to the choice of words.

The misuse of language in everyday life and its potential to foster exclusion or inclusion.

Personal experience with gendered permission forms and their impact on non-binary individuals.

The challenge of casual representation for non-binary students and the consequences of language misuse.

The phrase 'manning up' as an example of language that sets false expectations and affects emotional relationships.

The interconnectedness of language misuse, diversity, and inclusion, and the need for change.

The call to action for the audience to reflect on the words they use and their potential biases or impacts.

The potential for real change through collective effort and conscious language choices.

The conclusion and applause, signaling the end of the presentation and its impact on the audience.

Transcripts

it is impossible to be sure of anything

but death and

taxes so goes a saying from christopher

bullock and his comedy the cobbler of

preston

all the way back in 1716

a perfectly valid analysis on the

certainties of life

but to start us off today

i want to pitch a slightly different

phrase to you

[Music]

it is impossible to be sure of anything

but death taxes and languages

in january 2020 ethnologue the closest

thing that exists to a directory of

languages

estimated that there were 7

117 living languages

many more will have already died

every culture has at least one language

or it wouldn't be able to perpetuate

and all of this isn't even getting into

dialects or the murky area between

languages where you can start

classifying families

we are capable of creating complex and

nuanced means of communication

time and time again

and the languages that we do have are

constantly adapting to our needs

the form a language takes for example we

have spoken written and signed as some

of our most common

that changes

but the fact that we use languages

remains constant

i've found that people tend to

underestimate how much power

language has to shape how we view the

world and the people around us

so to start us off

who speaks who here speaks a language

other than english show of hands

that is a really impressive turnout

now i have a question for you

have you ever found that a bias set in

one language and the surrounding culture

can sometimes transfer over to your

other language

i'll give you an example

my family is welsh

that is the that's the country with the

dragon on the flag in case you need a

reminder

that's the welsh flag and that's me in

my welsh national outfit

in welsh

words can mutate based on the specific

gender of what you're talking about

the words for dragon for example are

drag and thread

that is male and female respectively

and now

i'm going to let you in on a little

secret

that you probably won't know unless you

speak welsh

the red dragon the one on the flag is

actually a woman

that's actually not a secret you can

find it online but it's your free fun

fact for parties

so my mother once told me a story

and in it her co-worker was trying to

tell a joke about the red dragon

this was in welsh of course

and

the problem happened when he was

misusing the male version of the word

my mother corrected him

and he was adamant

that a dragon could not be a woman

what was happening there was his first

language was english and in english and

our surrounding culture

we are more primed to accept dragons as

male

we are more likely to default to using

for example he him pronouns

when referring to dragons

in other words his first language

brought a bias into a second that

affected his ability to tell a joke

related to the misuse of language i now

want to bring up a famous psychology

experiment

you may have heard of it it's the loftus

and palmer experiment of 1974.

now if you haven't heard of it don't

worry we're going to do a quick rundown

but basically

this there were changes made there have

been changes made to judicial

interrogation because of this experiment

to help make eyewitness testimony more

reliable

and what it did was it examined language

use

and

i'm going to try and explain it

using balloons which is why i brought

these up with me

and i want you to watch what i'm going

to do now

that's it not much spectacle but it is

important i promise

now

[Music]

i want to know how fast those balloons

were just moving but i'm going to ask

different groups in here slightly

different questions

so i'll make our groups first

we'll say group one from about here to

there

group

two to here and the rest of your group

three

then over on this side we'll split you

down the middle group four and group

five

i'm not expecting any actual answers

don't worry no need to panic

but group one

about how fast were those balloons

moving when they hit each other

group two how fast were they moving

when they smashed into each other

group three what about when they

collided

group four and five what about when they

contacted or bumped respectively

you may not think that these little word

changes would affect your answer but

you'd have to think again

substitute the balloons for cars

and you have give or take the loftus and

palmer experiment

these are the average speeds each group

from the actual experiment gave

i'll save you some maths and tell you

that that is a difference of 8.7 miles

per hour between smashed and contacted

all of those people saw the same car

crash

just like everyone here saw the same

balloon crash

that difference was generated purely by

language

language is powerful and complex and yes

it does have the ability to shape how we

view the people and the world around us

that's why after this experiment and

others like it there were changes made

to interrogation to make it harder for

interrogators to misuse language to get

the answers they wanted to hear

now

both of these stories are linked back to

misuse

yes they are wildly different scales

there's a big difference between an

office joke

and a court case

however they do make it very clear that

casual misuse of language occurs a lot

in everyday life

i have another example that is very

close to my heart

earlier this year i was invited to

participate in an after-school

journalism course

we had to write one article by the end

of it and i chose to write about one

little thing that had been annoying me

gendered permission forms

now these forms

well none of permission forms are

gendered i will clarify that

straight out of the gate

these forms were using using phrases

like my son slash daughter or he

she when my child or they would be a

perfectly sufficient replacement

and this was one of these little

language misuses that affected me

personally

because a lot of my friends are lgbt

plus and i myself identify on the

non-binary spectrum

i interviewed some people from this

school's gender and sexuality support

group for my article

and the conclusive statement from all of

them was that they really hated these

little misuses

there was something

quite sad about it

because these were great people

dealing with issues like isolation and

everyday exclusion

they were fantastic to talk to

incredibly resilient and very funny

but what they were talking about was sad

plain and simple

and the worst thing is that for people

like them and for people like me

these forms can accidentally foster

exclusion from the wider community

this exclusion normally isn't

intentional never assume malice when

ignorance would be a sufficient

explanation

however that does not change the fact

that consistently seeing your

demographic excluded from something so

basic and every day

person's way that very few other things

do

and there are consequences beyond

non-binary

[Music]

students non-binary students get no

casual representation and this could in

turn

lead to people who misuse language by

refusing to use they as a preferred

pronoun later in life

because there has not been this exposure

that begs the question how can we expect

genuine and meaningful change

in how we view certain demographics

when things that everyone is exposed to

sets a default that we know isn't true

anymore

they set a false expectation

think of the phrase manna as another

example this one doesn't affect me

personally of course

but

it's supposed to be about embracing

masculinity and becoming better

but it honestly falls short

all it does

is create an environment where men find

it harder to have meaningful emotional

relationships with their fellow fellow

men

romantic or platonic

and for everyone else who hears it it's

the same as the forms

it sets a false expectation

to me

these all of this

these phrases

these little misuses these forms they're

all linked back to one big mess of

issues

about

misuse of language

about diversity about inclusion

[Music]

and

again

there is that question

how can we expect meaningful change in

how we see certain demographics when we

misuse language so casually

[Music]

now

i don't expect magical change overnight

i'm reasonable

but step by step with enough people

working at it there can be very real

change

so

my challenge for you

is that after today

you take the time

to pause

and to think

what words are you using that are

carrying biases

what words are changing the speed of the

car crash

or if it helps you the balloon crash

what words are including or excluding

others

and what words can you change to

positively affect the people around you

thank you for your time

[Applause]

you