Jamila Lyiscott: 3 ways to speak English | TED
Summary
TLDRThe speaker in this powerful monologue explores the complexities of language and identity, expressing the fluidity of their communication across different social contexts. They challenge the Eurocentric ideals of language by embracing their 'articulate' ability to switch between three languages—reflecting home, school, and friends. The speech critiques the imposition of linguistic standards and celebrates the diversity of language as a form of resistance and cultural affirmation, advocating for the recognition of multilingualism as a strength rather than a deficit.
Takeaways
- 🗣️ The speaker is identified as 'articulate', emphasizing their ability to express themselves clearly and effectively in various contexts.
- 🎓 The script highlights the speaker's use of language in an academic setting, showcasing their ability to answer questions with urban connotations without any misdirected intention.
- 🏠 The speaker's father's question is answered in a way that demonstrates the speaker's linguistic flexibility, using language that is appropriate for home.
- 🗣️🏢 The ability to 'switch it up' on the block and in class shows the speaker's mastery over different linguistic codes, adapting to different social environments.
- 📚 The speaker questions the representation in educational materials, pointing out the lack of content about their people, indicating a desire for more inclusive curriculums.
- 🌐 The script discusses the multifaceted nature of the English language and its susceptibility to transformation, challenging the notion of a single 'correct' way to speak.
- 🤔 It challenges the idea that 'broken English' is ignorant, pointing out that even those considered articulate can sound foolish to others, like the British.
- 📖 The speaker humorously corrects their professor's greeting, suggesting that 'what's good' is the proper way to greet on the block, poking fun at linguistic norms.
- 📝 The speaker corrects their mother's grammar, emphasizing the importance of following linguistic rules, even in informal settings.
- 🌍 The script touches on the divine origin of language, suggesting that the only true authority on language is the one who declared it 'good' in the beginning.
- 👥 The speaker identifies as a tri-lingual orator, using different languages for home, school, and friends, showing a complex relationship with language and identity.
- 🔄 The speaker sometimes mixes up their languages, feeling a sense of dissonance, which they liken to 'cooking in the bathroom', indicating the struggle with linguistic identity.
- 🚫 The speaker acknowledges the historical theft of their language and the brokenness of their own history, using 'broken English' as a reminder of this past.
- 🌈 The speaker is fed up with Eurocentric ideals and uses a composite version of the language to challenge these norms and assert the value of their own linguistic heritage.
- 💼 The script ends with the speaker applying for a job as a 'tri-lingual' individual, aiming to diversify the consumer market and demonstrate their linguistic capabilities.
- 🤝 The speaker is ready to show their ability to use different greetings like 'What’s good', 'Whatagwan', and 'Hello' in an interview, embracing their multilingualism.
Q & A
What does the term 'articulate' mean in the context of the script?
-In the script, 'articulate' refers to the speaker's ability to express themselves clearly and effectively in speech, particularly in terms of enunciation and diction.
How does the speaker use language to navigate different social contexts?
-The speaker demonstrates the ability to switch between different linguistic styles or 'languages' depending on the social context, such as using a more academic language in the classroom and a more colloquial language on the block.
What is the speaker's stance on the idea of a single 'correct' way to speak English?
-The speaker challenges the notion of a single 'correct' way to speak English, arguing that language is multifaceted and subject to transformation, and that even 'articulate' Americans can sound foolish to the British.
Why does the speaker say that they treat all three of their languages as equals?
-The speaker treats all three of their languages as equals because they believe in the validity and importance of each linguistic style, whether it's used at home, school, or with friends.
What does the speaker mean when they say 'I know that I had to borrow your language, because mines was stolen'?
-This statement reflects the speaker's awareness of the historical context of language and cultural imperialism, suggesting that their own language and cultural heritage were suppressed or taken away, leading them to adopt the language of the colonizers.
How does the speaker feel about the Eurocentric ideals of language?
-The speaker expresses frustration with Eurocentric ideals of language, which often devalue non-standard or non-European linguistic forms and perpetuate racial disparities.
Outlines
🗣️ The Articulate Voice of Multilingualism
This paragraph introduces the speaker's experience with being labeled as 'articulate,' which implies a high level of eloquence and clarity in speech. The speaker reflects on how they switch between different linguistic styles depending on the context, whether it's academic, familial, or social. They emphasize the importance of recognizing the value of all languages and the fluidity of language itself, challenging the notion that one form of speech is superior to another. The speaker also touches on the idea that language is subject to change and that even 'articulate' Americans may sound foolish to British ears, suggesting that language is a living, evolving entity.
📚 The Complexity of Language and Identity
The speaker delves into the complexities of language and identity, discussing the Eurocentric ideals that have shaped the perception of what is considered 'proper' language. They express frustration with the negative stereotypes and images that affect their community and argue against the idea that one must adhere strictly to a single linguistic standard. The speaker also addresses the historical context of language, acknowledging that their own language and history were taken away, which has led to a composite version of the language they speak today. They advocate for a linguistic celebration that recognizes the diversity and richness of all languages.
🌏 The Call for Linguistic Equality and Celebration
In this final paragraph, the speaker calls for linguistic equality and a celebration of diversity in language. They reject the notion of promoting ignorance and instead advocate for a recognition of the multifaceted nature of language. The speaker uses their own experience as a 'tri-lingual orator' to argue for the value of being able to speak in different linguistic styles for different contexts. They express their readiness to demonstrate this ability during a job interview, showcasing the potential for diversity in communication and the importance of not being judged solely by one's language.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡articulate
💡connotation
💡multifaceted
💡transformation
💡ignorant
💡Eurocentric
💡composite
💡racial disparity
💡trilingual
💡diversity
💡nonsensical
💡celebration
Highlights
The speaker is labeled as 'articulate', implying a natural ability in enunciation and diction.
The concept of 'articulate' is challenged by the speaker's use of urbanized language in academic settings.
The speaker's father's question and the articulate response showcases the speaker's linguistic adaptability.
Code-switching is used to communicate effectively in different social contexts.
The speaker questions the representation of their people in academic literature.
The speaker treats all three of their languages as equals, emphasizing multilingualism.
The control of articulation and the transformation of the English language are discussed.
The speaker humorously corrects the professor's 'inarticulate' greeting in a non-academic setting.
Language rules are questioned, and the speaker defends their mother's unique sentence structure.
The speaker asserts the divine origin of language, challenging Eurocentric ideals.
The speaker's language use is a reflection of their stolen heritage and broken history.
The speaker's trilingualism is a source of pride and a tool for diversifying consumer markets.
The speaker's job application highlights their linguistic abilities as an asset.
The speaker is prepared to demonstrate their ability to use different forms of greeting in an interview.
The speaker concludes by embracing their 'articulate' identity and the value of linguistic diversity.
Applause signifies the audience's appreciation for the speaker's powerful message.
Transcripts
Today,
a baffled lady observed
the shell where my soul dwells
And announced that I'm
"articulate"
Which means that when it comes
to enunciation and diction
I don't even think of it
‘Cause I’m "articulate"
So when my professor asks a question
And my answer is tainted with a connotation
of urbanized suggestion
There’s no misdirected intention
Pay attention
‘Cause I’m “articulate”
So when my father asks, “Wha’ kinda ting is dis?”
My “articulate” answer never goes amiss
I say “father, this is the impending problem at hand”
And when I’m on the block
I switch it up just because I can
So when my boy says, “What’s good with you son?”
I just say, “I jus’ fall out wit dem people but I done!”
And sometimes in class
I might pause the intellectual sounding flow to ask
“Yo! Why dese books neva be about my peoples”
Yes, I have decided to treat
all three of my languages as equals
Because I’m “articulate”
But who controls articulation?
Because the English language is a multifaceted oration
Subject to indefinite transformation
Now you may think that it is ignorant to speak broken English
But I’m here to tell you that even “articulate” Americans
sound foolish to the British
So when my Professor comes on the block and says, “Hello”
I stop him and say “Noooo …
You’re being inarticulate …
the proper way is to say ‘what’s good’”
Now you may think that’s too hood, that’s not cool
But I’m here to tell you that even our language has rules
So when Mommy mocks me and says
“ya’ll-be-madd-going-to-the-store”
I say “Mommy, no, that sentence is not following the law
Never does the word "madd" go before a present participle
That’s simply the principle of this English”
If I had the vocal capacity I would
sing this from every mountaintop,
From every suburbia, and every hood
‘Cause the only God of language is the one recorded in the Genesis
Of this world saying “it is good"
So I may not always come before you
with excellency of speech
But do not judge me by my language and assume
That I’m too ignorant to teach
‘Cause I speak three tongues
One for each:
Home, school and friends
I’m a tri-lingual orator
Sometimes I’m consistent with my language now
Then switch it up so I don’t bore later
Sometimes I fight back two tongues
While I use the other one in the classroom
And when I mistakenly mix them up
I feel crazy like … I’m cooking in the bathroom
I know that I had to borrow your language
because mines was stolen
But you can’t expect me to speak your history wholly
while mines is broken
These words are spoken
By someone who is simply fed up with
the Eurocentric ideals of this season
And the reason I speak a composite version of your language
Is because mines was raped away along with my history
I speak broken English so the profusing gashes can remind us
That our current state is not a mystery
I’m so tired of the negative images that are driving my people mad
So unless you’ve seen it rob a bank stop calling my hair bad
I’m so sick of this nonsensical racial disparity
So don’t call it good unless your hair is known
for donating to charity
As much as has been raped away from our people
How can you expect me to treat their imprint on your language
As anything less than equal
Let there be no confusion
Let there be no hesitation
This is not a promotion of ignorance
This is a linguistic celebration
That’s why I put "tri-lingual" on my last job application
I can help to diversify your consumer market
is all I wanted them to know
And when they call me for the interview
I’ll be more than happy to show that
I can say:
“What’s good”
“Whatagwan”
And of course …“Hello”
Because I’m “articulate”
Thank you.
(Applause)
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