Podcast Summary
The Power of Pronouns to Shape Perceptions: Pronouns like 'they' can acknowledge non-binary identities, but debates around their use can be heated due to their power to include or exclude, respect or disrespect. Clarify pronoun meaning to avoid confusion, and use language respectfully and thoughtfully.
Words, specifically pronouns, have the power to shape our perceptions and understanding of people and situations. The use of "they" as a singular pronoun, although controversial, has a long history and is becoming more common in acknowledging non-binary identities. Anne Curzan, a professor of English linguistics at the University of Michigan, emphasizes that the debates around singular "they" can be heated because the stakes feel high. Words have the power to hurt and heal, include and exclude, and respect or disrespect. It's essential to be mindful of the pronouns we use and their potential implications. The pronoun "you," for instance, is already singular and plural in English. Additionally, all pronouns can be ambiguous, but we must clarify their meaning in writing to avoid confusion. Overall, the way we use language shapes our reality, and it's crucial to use it respectfully and thoughtfully.
Language debates: Power and control over words: Appreciate language change, focus on clarity, precision, audience, purpose, and rhetorical effectiveness, and adopt a curious mindset towards new words and meanings.
Language is a powerful tool for communication, and the debates surrounding the use of certain words often stem from disagreements over who gets to decide which words are acceptable. These debates are not just about semantics, but rather about power and control. Language is constantly evolving, and new words and meanings emerge as a result of human creativity and technological advancements. Rather than being threatened by language change, we should adopt a curious and open-minded attitude towards it, and appreciate the richness and vibrancy of the English language. The history of language shows that what may be considered incorrect or undesirable today may be common usage in the future. Instead of focusing on right and wrong, we should strive for clarity, precision, audience, purpose, and rhetorical effectiveness in our use of language. As Anne Curzan, a linguist and author, encourages us, let us approach language change with the mindset of a birdwatcher, curious and eager to understand the stories behind new words and meanings.
Questioning language rules: Language rules aren't set in stone, and it's important to challenge those that seem unjustified while also recognizing the importance of controlling language to access opportunities.
Language rules are not set in stone, and it's essential to question their origins and relevance. Anne Curzan, an English professor, emphasizes the importance of controlling language to access opportunities but also encourages challenging rules that seem unjustified. Singular "they" is an example of a linguistic choice that was once considered a rule-breaking exception but is now gaining acceptance. Linguist John McWhorter adds that language evolves, and new words and expressions emerge to reflect societal changes. However, these new ways of expressing ideas can be challenging for those who are not familiar with them. Overall, the discussion highlights the importance of being informed and open-minded about language and its constant evolution.
Understanding societal readiness for new language terms: Language evolves at its own pace, and it's crucial to consider societal acceptance before imposing new terminology.
While the term Latinx was created with the intention of moving away from gender binaries in language, its acceptance and usage among Spanish speakers remains limited. The linguistic shift towards new terminology doesn't always align with societal readiness, as shown in the example of Latinx. Language changes, but it often requires societal acceptance and priming before new terms become widely adopted. McWhorter emphasizes that the progressive agenda to impose new terminology can spark conversations and progress, but it's essential to recognize that language evolves at its own pace. Terms like African American and Asian are examples of successful linguistic shifts that gained acceptance due to societal changes and proper intentions. However, the x in Latinx doesn't sound Spanish and hasn't gained widespread acceptance among Spanish speakers. Therefore, it's crucial to approach language changes with awareness and understanding of societal readiness.
Language doesn't significantly alter thoughts or perceptions: Language use may change slightly, but addressing root causes is more effective for bringing about change
Changing language before societal assumptions and thoughts have shifted is not an effective way to bring about change. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, which suggests that language shapes thought, has been oversold. While there may be subtle differences in perception based on language, it does not significantly alter how people view the world. For instance, the term "unhoused" instead of "homeless" may seem like a step forward, but it may not hold its meaning or resonance for long. Instead, efforts should focus on addressing the root causes of issues like homelessness. The debate over language use can also be politicized, with different groups using language to support their perspectives. It's essential to remember that the civil rights leaders who brought about significant change did so by focusing on the issues themselves rather than the terminology.
Historical civil rights leaders focused on grassroots activism and legislation over terminology: Understanding historical context and cultural meaning of words is crucial before using them in contentious political discourse to avoid confusion and counterproductivity.
While the use of language and the evolution of terminology can be significant, it may not be the most effective or immediate means to bring about change. John McWhorter, a linguistics professor, argues that historical civil rights leaders didn't spend much time worrying about terminology and instead focused on grassroots activism and legislation. Danigal Young, a communications professor, explains how words can become weapons, as seen in the use of the term "rigged" in political contexts. When a word is repeatedly linked with a particular idea or emotion, it can harden the connection between them and become synonymous with a belief system. However, attempting to use such a word outside of its established context can be confusing and even counterproductive. Therefore, it's essential to consider the historical significance and cultural meaning of words before using them, especially in contentious political discourse.
Motivations for seeking info driven by need for comprehension, control, and community: People are motivated to seek info based on identity, not just truth. This desire can lead to acceptance of inaccurate info.
Our motivations for seeking information are not solely driven by a desire for accuracy, but rather by a need for comprehension, control, and community. Social scientist Daniyal Young discussed how the word "rigged" became a powerful signal for Trump supporters, even if the underlying belief was not empirically accurate. This ability to target people with language and manipulate their beliefs is relatively new and can be both democratizing for social movements and a conduit for misinformation. Young argues that once a particular social identity is salient in our minds, our motivations to understand the world are driven by that identity rather than a pursuit of truth. We want to feel like we comprehend the world, have control over it, and be part of a community. This desire for comprehension, control, and community can lead us to accept information that aligns with our beliefs, even if it's not accurate. This phenomenon is not unique to any political ideology and is a natural human tendency. It's important to be aware of this bias and strive for accuracy and critical thinking in our information consumption.
Seeking Understanding and Control through Conspiracy Theories: During uncertain times, conspiracy theories offer comfort and control, but they can lead to harmful misinformation. Be aware of emotional manipulation, fact-check information, and seek reliable sources to avoid falling into the trap.
During times of uncertainty and loss, people may seek out conspiracy theories as a way to fulfill their needs for comprehension, control, and community. These theories offer alternative explanations, a sense of control through targets for anger, and a feeling of belonging to a community. However, these beliefs can be harmful and lead individuals down a rabbit hole of misinformation. The use of language, such as the word "sheep," can be particularly effective in evoking emotions and reducing resistance. Unfortunately, in our current media economy, the exploitation of these vulnerabilities for profit is widespread. Yet, at an individual level, we can take steps to avoid falling into these traps by fact-checking information, being aware of emotional manipulation, and seeking out reliable sources of information. Ultimately, it's important to remember that our social identities shape how we understand the world, but it's crucial to ensure that our beliefs are grounded in reality.
The Power of Words in Politics and Identity: Allow for error and change in beliefs, give people the benefit of the doubt, and strive for nuanced and open-minded conversations to foster a more inclusive democratic society.
The way we use language, particularly in the context of politics and identity, can have significant implications. In a complex and nuanced world, it's important to allow for the possibility of error and change in our beliefs, rather than feeling compelled to perform allegiance through our words. As Danigal Young, a professor of communications, emphasizes, giving people the benefit of the doubt and avoiding the assumption that the use of certain words makes someone an enemy is crucial for democratic survival. Looking back in history, we can see how the choice of words for political titles was a contentious issue. In the case of the United States, the founders debated for weeks on what to call their leader, eventually settling on the title of "president." This decision reflected a desire to avoid granting the leader too much power and to maintain a sense of humility and accountability. In our current discourse, we can learn from this historical example and strive for more nuanced and open-minded conversations, allowing for the possibility of error and change, and giving people the benefit of the doubt. This approach may be unsettling at first, but ultimately, it leads to a more liberating and inclusive democratic society.
The Evolution of the President's Title: The title of President has evolved from a seemingly insignificant temporary title to a symbol of power, prestige, and global influence.
The title of "President of the United States of America" may have started as a temporary and seemingly insignificant title, but over time, the reality and grandeur of the role have endowed it with immense respectability. The Senate, in its debate over the title, was concerned about the appearance of singularity and lack of respectability. However, history has proven that titles can take on new meanings and significance as the reality of the role evolves. Despite the Senate's initial objections, the title of President has become synonymous with power, prestige, and global influence. This is a reminder that words and titles may be shaped by the reality they are meant to describe, rather than the other way around.