John McWhorter on "Bad" Grammar

Summary

The transcript explores how our perception of language is shaped by the written word, which became a dominant force only in the last few thousand years. The speaker discusses the historical separation between spoken and written language, noting that written forms became standardized and frozen, leading us to mistakenly view deviations from the written form as 'wrong.' It highlights how those without access to literacy are often marginalized, as their spoken language is seen as inferior, despite being an equally valid form of communication. The speaker calls for a more inclusive understanding of language that appreciates both spoken and written forms.

Takeaways

• 😀 Language, primarily as speech, predates writing by tens of thousands of years.
• 😀 Writing emerged only around 5,500 years ago, and initially, it was an elite activity accessible only to a few.
• 😀 Most people today think of language as something 'frozen' on the page, leading to the misconception that it should remain static.
• 😀 Spoken language naturally evolves over time, but written language often remains unchanged, creating an artificial standard.
• 😀 Once language is written, any divergence from that written form is often perceived as 'wrong' or a 'deviation.'
• 😀 Those who are oppressed or lack access to formal education tend to speak in ways that diverge from the written standard, but that does not make their language incorrect.
• 😀 Linguists are trained to see spoken vernacular language as equal to the 'standard' language used in writing, though this requires specific education.
• 😀 Even linguists may sometimes find themselves aesthetically preferring certain forms of speech, revealing the influence of the standardization of language.
• 😀 In formal settings, colloquial language is becoming more common, though formal language will always hold a specific role.
• 😀 There is a difference between seeing non-standard speech as a mistake and recognizing that it's simply different and context-dependent.

Q & A

What is the main point of the speaker's argument about language?

The speaker argues that the common view of language as primarily written is an artificial construct. Language has been spoken for most of human history, and writing, which is a relatively recent development, has created an illusion that spoken language deviates from a 'correct' standard.

How does the development of writing affect our perception of language?

Writing has led to the misconception that language should remain fixed, as it appears 'frozen' on the page. This creates an expectation that spoken language, which evolves over time, is somehow wrong or inferior if it deviates from the written form.

Why does the speaker believe that deviations in speech are seen as wrong?

Deviations in speech are often perceived as wrong because they typically represent departures from the written standard, which has been socially institutionalized as the 'correct' form of language.

How does access to education influence perceptions of language?

People with limited access to formal education are less likely to be exposed to standardized writing, which means their spoken language is more likely to be seen as a deviation from the norm, even though these variations are a natural part of linguistic evolution.

What role does social power play in language perceptions?

Language norms often reflect social power dynamics, with those in power determining what is considered 'correct' or 'standard' language. Marginalized groups are more likely to speak in ways that diverge from these norms and are thus seen as using 'incorrect' language.

How does the speaker view their own position as a linguist?

The speaker acknowledges that as a linguist, they have been trained to view vernacular language as equal to standardized language. However, they admit that they are not immune to biases and may still have aesthetic preferences for certain speech forms.

What is the significance of language being 'frozen' on the page?

When language is written, it becomes fixed and permanent, creating an illusion that it should remain unchanged. This contrasts with spoken language, which is dynamic and constantly evolving over time.

Is colloquial language ever appropriate in formal settings?

Yes, the speaker notes that more and more people use colloquial language in formal settings, such as at cocktail parties or in professional discourse, which shows that the gap between formal and informal language is narrowing.

What is the speaker's stance on different forms of speech?

The speaker believes that no form of speech is inherently wrong. While certain speech forms may be more appropriate in specific contexts, all speech, whether formal or informal, is a valid expression of language.

What does the speaker mean by being 'hermetic' in language?

Being 'hermetic' refers to having a trained, open-minded approach to language, where all forms of speech—whether formal or informal—are viewed equally, without privileging one over the other based on social standards or aesthetic biases.