TEDxEastEnd - Paul Kerswill - Who's an Eastender now?

Summary

In this talk, the speaker discusses how linguistics, particularly a socially informed approach, helps us better understand language in the context of London’s urban riots. The speaker challenges the views of historian David Starkey, who linked Jamaican Patois with negative behavior. Drawing on research at Queen Mary University, the speaker examines the language of London’s diverse youth, highlighting the role of multicultural influences in shaping a unique dialect known as Multicultural London English (MLE). The speaker argues that MLE is not 'foreign' but a product of a melting pot of cultures, influencing identity and social dynamics in the city.

Takeaways

• 😀 Language in London is highly diverse, with over 300 languages spoken in schools across the city, making it a multilingual hub.
• 😀 David Starkey's controversial analysis of the London riots incorrectly linked Jamaican Patois with violent behavior, a view the speaker rejects.
• 😀 Starkey's comments were criticized for racial stereotyping, particularly in how language and behavior were connected.
• 😀 The working-class accents in the UK, including Cockney, hold a stigma, with certain accents being associated with negative perceptions like criminality.
• 😀 Linguistic research from Queen Mary University challenges Starkey’s claims, showing that young Londoners speak a modern, diverse form of English.
• 😀 Multicultural London English (MLE) is a new, mixed dialect that draws influences from various cultures, including Caribbean, West African, and South Asian communities.
• 😀 The use of MLE by young people reflects the melting pot of cultures in East London, cutting across ethnic and racial lines.
• 😀 MLE is not a foreign or imposed language, but rather a product of London's cultural diversity and the identities of its young people.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that language and identity are deeply intertwined, with MLE being a tool for expressing belonging and shared experience in London.
• 😀 The research also shows that slang used by London youth is not necessarily linked to any particular ethnicity but is a cultural fusion unique to the city.

Q & A

What is the main argument of the speaker regarding David Starkey's analysis of the London riots?

The speaker argues that David Starkey's analysis, which linked the riots to a 'gangster' culture associated with Jamaican Patois, is overly simplistic and racially charged. The speaker emphasizes that the language used by young people in London is a complex blend of multiple cultural influences, not solely tied to any one ethnicity or accent.

How does the speaker describe the language situation in London?

The speaker describes London as a highly multilingual city, with over 300 languages spoken in schools. This linguistic diversity plays a central role in the city's cultural landscape, with various accents and dialects influencing the way young people speak, reflecting their multicultural identities.

What is 'Estuary English,' and why is it significant in the context of the speaker's research?

Estuary English is a form of speech common in the southeast of England, particularly London. It features certain vowel pronunciations that distinguish it from other regional accents. The speaker's research looks into whether these pronunciations originated in London and spread outward, as part of the broader linguistic shifts occurring in the city.

What did the speaker find in their research on the language of young people in London?

The research found that young people in London, particularly those from Hackney, Haringey, and Havering, use a unique form of language that blends different cultural and linguistic influences. This form of speech includes features such as dropping 'H's and using expressions that resemble those from other languages like German and Jamaican Patois, but the overall dialect is distinctly London-based.

How does the speaker challenge the idea that Jamaican Patois is the primary influence on young Londoners' speech?

The speaker challenges this by pointing out that the language used by young Londoners is not solely Jamaican Patois, nor is it 'put on' or 'intruded.' Instead, it is a homegrown dialect that has developed through the fusion of multiple cultural and linguistic influences, reflecting the diverse identities of the city's residents.

What does the speaker say about the relationship between language and race in London?

The speaker emphasizes that language in London is not tied to any one racial or ethnic group. While certain features of the language, like slang or pronunciation, may be perceived as 'black' or associated with specific communities, the dialect is used by people of all ethnic backgrounds and reflects a broader multicultural identity.

How does the speaker explain the evolution of language in East London?

The speaker explains that the evolution of language in East London is influenced by historical immigration, especially from the Caribbean during the Windrush generation. The rise of youth culture and the influence of music also played a significant role in shaping the language, which has become a fusion of multiple cultural influences, including Cockney and West Indian speech.

What role does music play in shaping language in London according to the speaker?

Music, especially genres like reggae and grime, has played a significant role in shaping the linguistic landscape of London. The speaker suggests that music sets the cultural tone in the city and contributes to the development of a unique, multicultural dialect that is reflected in the language used by young people.

What does the speaker mean by 'Multicultural London English'?

Multicultural London English (MLE) is a term used to describe the unique form of speech spoken by many young people in London. It blends elements from various languages and cultural influences, including Cockney, Jamaican Patois, and other dialects, and reflects the city's diverse population.

How do young people in East London perceive their own dialect?

Young people in East London see their dialect as part of their identity. While some may acknowledge that their speech resembles Cockney or other regional accents, they tend to reject the idea that they are 'Cockneys.' They view their language as a unique, homegrown form of English that reflects their multicultural, urban experiences.