¿Cómo las palabras pueden transformar el mundo? | Paula Salerno | TEDxCONICETRosario

Summary

The speaker explores the profound impact of language on society, using personal anecdotes and historical examples to illustrate how discourse shapes our world. They recount a teacher's persuasive lie about the meaning of 'student' to inspire learning, highlight the power of rhetoric in resolving property disputes in ancient Sicily, and discuss the subtle perpetuation of gender stereotypes in modern society. The talk emphasizes the importance of being aware of the hidden messages in language and calls for the use of discourse to construct a more equitable and enlightened society.

Takeaways

• 😀 The script emphasizes the power of language in shaping society, suggesting that every time we use language, we are influencing the world around us.
• 👨‍🏫 A teacher's creative explanation of the word 'student' instead of 'alumno' (student means 'without light' in Latin), inspired a class to study harder, demonstrating how language can be used to motivate and shape behavior.
• 🗣️ The speaker points out the potential negative consequences of language, such as discourses that incite war or perpetuate social inequalities, highlighting the responsibility in using language constructively.
• 🌟 Language is likened to a 'magic wand' that can change reality when used correctly, suggesting that discourses have hidden power that can be harnessed for positive change.
• 📚 The script discusses how analyzing students' notes revealed different approaches to reading and writing, leading to improved teaching methods and materials that address these challenges.
• 🏛️ The origin of rhetoric in ancient Syracuse is used as an example to show the historical significance of persuasive speech in resolving disputes and asserting rights.
• 🏢 The power of discourse analysis is illustrated through a modern legal dispute, where an analyst was able to determine the authorship of disputed documents, impacting the outcome of a court case.
• 👗 The 'Ni una menos' protest and a personal anecdote about gendered clothing in a school event are used to critique societal norms and the subtle reinforcement of gender stereotypes.
• 📰 The media's coverage of the 'Ni una menos' protest is criticized for focusing on trivial details rather than the ideology and condemnation of gender violence, showing how language can dilute important messages.
• 👥 The script calls for a critical examination of our language choices, urging us to consider how our words can contribute to the society we wish to create and to challenge the status quo.
• 🌱 The final message encourages continuous learning and awareness, comparing the audience to students who feed on knowledge, advocating for open-mindedness and vigilance in our discourse.

Q & A

What is the common element among people, institutions, history, and ideas in society according to the speaker?

The common element is language, which shapes society every time it is used.

How did the teacher in the speaker's secondary school redefine the term 'student'?

The teacher claimed that 'alumno' means 'without light', and instead, students should be called 'estudiantes', implying that they are the ones with light and knowledge.

What was the actual meaning of 'alumno' in Latin, contrary to the teacher's explanation?

In Latin, 'alumno' means 'to nourish', signifying that a student is one who nourishes their mind with knowledge.

How did the teacher's false etymology of 'alumno' impact the students' behavior?

The false etymology was persuasive and appealing, leading the students to study more diligently for that particular subject.

What is the significance of the teacher's approach in presenting the new definition of 'student'?

The teacher used a strategy of opposition and a 'magic word' to create a new value scale where being a student was superior to being a pupil, thus influencing the students' behavior.

What are the potential negative effects of discourse when it is based on a lie, according to the speaker?

Discourses based on lies can incite war, reproduce social inequalities, and perpetuate class and gender disparities.

How can language be used to shape society positively, as suggested by the speaker?

Language can be used to create a society that we like by being aware of its power and using it to construct positive discourses that promote equality and justice.

What is the role of discourse analysis in education, as demonstrated by the example of the Buenos Aires University analysts?

Discourse analysis can reveal the structural differences in students' notes and reading comprehension, leading to improved teaching methods and materials that address these issues.

Why was rhetoric created in the context of the story about Siracusa in the 5th century B.C.?

Rhetoric was created to help citizens defend their property rights in the absence of legal documents, with the more eloquent speakers being able to reclaim their homes.

How did discourse analysis help resolve a property dispute in a modern legal case mentioned in the script?

Discourse analysis identified individual stylistic markers in the documents, leading to the conclusion that all documents were likely written by the same person, thus helping to resolve the dispute.

What was the underlying message in the news coverage of the 'Ni una menos' demonstration, according to the speaker's analysis?

Despite the coverage being in favor of the demonstration, the focus on secondary details and entertainment rather than the ideology and denunciation of gender violence sent a mixed message and reinforced existing societal norms.

How does the speaker suggest we should approach language to create the reality we desire?

We should be mindful of the words we choose, understanding their power to shape reality, and use them to construct discourses that improve education, avoid injustices, and eliminate inequalities.

What is the metaphor used by the speaker to describe the power of language?

The speaker uses the metaphor of a 'magic wand' to describe the power of language, suggesting that like a wand, words can change reality when used effectively.