Communities of Practice
How to learn any language in six months
Play videoThis video tells viewers how to learn a new language in six months. There are five steps to learn a new language. You need to focus on language content that is relevant to you. Then you need to use new language as a tool to communicate with others on the first day. Furthermore, your language learning environment should be a happy and relaxing place. In the end, he provides seven actions to help you learn the new language.
Native American Languages and COVID-19
This article explores the linguistic and cultural loss occurring in Native American communities as a result of the disproportional impact COVID-19 has had on them and their elders especially. [Published on 01-12-2021]
The Significance of Linguistic Profiling
Play video"What is Linguistic Profiling and why is it so prominent in our society? Dr. Baugh explores the field and explains dialects, accents, and our linguistic heritages."
New Yiddish Course on Duolingo
This article touches on the challenges of creating the Yiddish course on the popular language-learning app Duolingo, as well as its importance in exposing more people from the U.S. to Yiddish as a full language instead of a punchline or handful of loan-words. [Published on 04-05-2021]
How old English would have sounded like
Play videoA reconstruction of old English through a (fictional) interview with an anglo Saxon.
"AAVE is For Black People And Black People Only"
Opinion piece by a Black author on non-Black people using AAE being cultural appropriation. I don't think the author is a linguist, but a lot of the concepts they reference (white people using AAE to look tough or funny or hip, while there is stigma attached to African Americans using AAE) feel similar to things we've talked about, especially the article about Mock Spanish. It's also interesting that the author is pointing out things reminiscent of indexicality (as mentioned, white people using AAE to sound cool or funny, not to actually pretend to be African American), and has a pretty big problem with such use by people who aren't in the social group being indexed, which isn't an attitude we've really seen in the reading. This was linked on a social media post where people were arguing about this topic I saw a while back.
Malayalam and Linguistic Identity
An article about how Malayalam as a language is constantly put in the position of asserting its distinct linguistic identity compared to the other literary Dravidian languages (Tamil, Telegu, and Kannada). Linguistic pride is common throughout India considering its concentrated linguistic diversity. This can be a good thing (in terms of cultural preservation and practice) and a bad thing (in terms of linguistic nationalism). [Published on 04-20-2019]
Slang in Young Generation
Play videoThis video shows how young generation uses slang in their language. It also shows that the difference of using slang based on the different social background and experience. The discussion between daughter and mother shows how speech community has its own ways of speaking and how important the meaning of words transfer and change in today's society.
Poetry slams (Bertsolaritza) are helping reinvigorate the Basque language
The Basque Language Euskara, spoken in areas between France and Spain, has been pushed to the fringes of society over the course of the last century. The recent revival of Bertsolaritza, a Basque tradition of improvised song, has contributed to the increase in popularity of the language, both inside and outside the region. [Published on 02-14-2019]
India’s Hindu nationalists changing Muslim town names
This article discusses the language ideology of a political party in India. The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is making an effort to change names of towns that have had connections to Muslims in Uttar Pradesh, India to Hindu association names. The latest attempt is of the town of Agra where the Taj Mahal stands, which is trying to be changed to something of Hindu association due to it being the capital of the Mughal Empire for many years in the 17th Century. The language ideology of the BJP nationalist party is that names deriving from Arabic, Persian, or those of Muslim association are anti-Indian and should be restored to Hindu names. [Published on 01-15-2019]
Language Bias Among Generations
Play videoHow the way you speak can show what kind of person you are. Vera Regan, a sociolinguists discusses this topic and how language is always changing. This can vary from word order, to the ways things are said differently and can mean the same thing, to the ways that different generations speak. Dependent on what generation you are from, you might have different rules for the way to speak and understand languages. This can lead to language ideologies and how one generation believes how everyone that speaks that language should speak.
Spanglish is here to stay
Here is an article from NBC News reporting about code-switching between the Spanish and English languages in one conversation, called ‘Spanglish’. Spanglish speakers make up a Community of Practice by sharing the practice of using a combination of English and Spanish language. Other language combinations, like Chinglish, often a combination of Mandarin and English, are also acknowledged as a Community of Practice for bilinguals. [Published on 04-05-2018]
How “Rez Accents” Strengthen Native Identity
A cool article about identity and “reservation English” [Published on 03-06-2017]
How to Speak Internet 101
Play videoThis artifact contains terms and phrases that are used on the Internet and provides an explanation and briefing of what context these terms can be used in. The video explains Internet "slang" terms.
Rethinking Grammar: How We Talk
We as people judge the way that others speak, we assume intelligence based on the way that people speak. African American Vernacular tends to be associated with not being very smart [Published on 10-21-2015]
Workplace Norms Conveyed Through Rap
Play videoThe Office is a popular show on NBC from which we can apply linguistic concepts to. In this short clip Dwight and Michael compose a rap for new members of the office that have relocated from another geographical area. This rap is used to introduce the new hires to the social workplace norms that typically take place at Dunder Mifflin. Dwight and Michael utilize rap and rhyming to make the song seem more comical and appealing to the individuals they have never met before. They also try hard to make their office seem "cool" and "inviting."
Patterns behind color names around the world
Play videoBerlin and Kay did a study in 1969 comparing the ways people of different native languages recognized and categorized colors. Some, like russian had words for as many as 12 color categories, while some had as few as 4. They came up with the hypothesis that they are derived in a certain order across languages, Black and white, red, green/yellow, blue, brown, then the rest. There are criticisms in this study as the sample size was small and all participants, while native speakers of a variety of languages, were bilingual english speakers. Sometimes words for color categories can come as a noun resembling the color, eg tree sap-like, ocean like. We also do this in english to describe more specific colors like the entire pantone spectrum; seafoam green, lava orange, blood red. Upon review the same researchers re-checked their methodology with more languages including unwritten ones, and a larger sample size.
NBA Legend Baron Davis Teaches You Basketball Slang | Vanity Fair
Play videoFormer NBA all star Baron Davis explains basketball terms that people use within the game. If you watch a basketball game on TV, you will hear announcers using this lingo. Also if you play the game you will be exposed to this field of language use. This video is taken very lightly and a lot of humor is used, but he still is very informative on each basketball term.
South African Rugby Slang
Play videoIn the video, Welsh players try to find and dissect the meaning behind the slang and colloquialisms of the South African language and rugby terms for various things. The reason behind this is due to the terms being unique to South African community and rugby community. These terms are special to the rugby group and the known meaning only known to the South African country as seen throughout the length of the video
"Dangerous" Teenage Texting Slang
This article covers a viewpoint of parents on slang used over text by teenagers. The article provides lists of acronyms to provide insight in what teens are saying and ways for parents to "decode". It is interesting to see that communication has adapted so much to the point where an older generation needs a "decoding" list in order to understand conversations of younger generations. It also shows the difference in speech communities between two sets of age groups. [Published on 06-12-2017]
G-Eazy - Fire In The Booth.
Play videoThe freestyle that I analyzed for my assignment in AAE. This rapper is interesting because he potentially disrupts traditional notions of authenticity in hip-hop, given the recent "frat rap" movement.
The Meaning of "Za": Pizza or Lasagna?
Play videoThis video is an SNL sketch in which two courtroom attorneys argue over the meaning of a specific word used by the defendant. This argument revolves around the question: Does "Za" mean pizza or lasagna? Because the two attorneys have differing language ideologies and are a part of different speech communities, they interpret the word "Za" differently and therefore each believe the defendant belongs to their speech community and uses "Za" the way it means to them. This video also plays on linguistic indexicality, which is the way in which language references or points us to certain aspects of the world; in this case the pronunciation of "Za" pointed one attorney towards lasagna and the other towards pizza.
New Slang
This article talks about how slang in incorporated with each new generation. We were talking about this in class and this is a little bit more.
10 Things You Should Never Say To A British Person
The website shows the type of languages better to avoid using to British people. It also illustrate the reasons to avoid by explaining their cultural background and thoughts. By a negative approach, it shows some shared beliefs on the community. [Published on 12-13-2017]
Cooking Glossary
Play videoThis video defines common cooking terms used in kitchens and recipes. Many French phrases are used intermittently with English. Additionally, some culinary terms can mean other things in English. For example, 'pat' can be used to reference an amount of butter, but is typically a verb.
NBA Rising Stars Try to Pronounce "Giannis Antetokounmpo"
Play videoThis video shows NBA players trying to pronounce a name they are not familiar with. It presents some funny language barriers and interesting takes on speech community.
The Kardashians' Language
Play videoIn this video (at around time 1:25), Millie Bobby Brown talks about the particular way the Kardashians speak, including slang terms that are used by the family members and viewers of their show.
Things Not to Say to Women at Work
Play videoThis video challenges language used in ways that specifically applies to women. This video produced by the BBC discusses common phrases, words and topics that specifically target and apply to women in the workplace that portray sexist ideologies. The women in the video confront these, explain why they are inappropriate, and in some cases offer alternate ways to frame these discussions.
Ta-Nehisi Coates on words that don't belong to everyone
Play videoThis clip specifically looks at uses of language and the contexts and ideologies surrounding them that create speech communities. Ta-Nehisi Coates implies certain terms from particular speech communities and cultures cannot be used by outsiders appropriately.
Arabic Speakers Are Offering To Help Correct News Anchors Who Mistakenly Say 'Potatoes Are The Greatest'
Ironically, aloo doesn't even mean potatoes in Arabic, that's the Urdu term. So as the article is trying to correct people mispronouncing the word, it doesn't mention a very important fact and it just assumes that it's in Arabic.
Ellen Learns Spanish
Play videoThis video displays Ellen DeGeneres on her show called "Ellen" explaining how she has tried to learn Spanish from multiple outlets like Rosetta Stone, books, classes, etc. Although she learned a little bit, she did not get the whole experience and realized that the Spanish language is a community of people that share a set of norms and regularities for interaction by language. Therefore, she asks a famous actor on "Telemundo" to teach her Spanish, because he is a part of the Spanish "community".
When You're Latino & You Suck At Spanish
Play videoThis video depicts a young Latina woman who struggles to fit into a bilingual speech community. Her peers code switch between English and Spanish, expect her to do the same, and tease her when she cannot.
The Importance of Singlish
Play videoSingaporean comedian Hossan Leong shares his favorite Singlish word and his reasons for using Singlish in his shows
Linguist Jennifer Scalfani’s analysis on Trump’s “unique” use of language
Play videoThis video is about Jennifer Scalfani, a linguist at Georgetown University, who analyzed Donald Trump’s “unique” use of language that he uses as the President of the United States. His language is unique in a way that it is different than the language that other Presidents spoke in the past. He uses much more simple vocabulary and grammar, jumps from one topic to another, involves a variety of hand gestures, and uses an expression at the end of the phrase to emphasize his message. Scalfani analyzed how Trump’s unique use of language is a representation of how language can create a brand, construct an identity that is recognizable, and create an authentic persona.
How the triplet flow took over rap
Play videoAlthough the usage of triplets (i.e. the “Migos” flow) has become very popular as of late, and is currently heard on just about every rap track that hits the Billboard 100, the usage of triplets in rap is not something new. It has its roots in Midwestern and Southern rap communities in the 80s onward. In rap, a triplet is essentially like setting your verse to 3/4 time - three beats per bar rather than 4. In rap, it can be used as a sort of verbal trick - it could slow down a song by throwing off the expected rhythm our brain is expecting to hear or even speed it up. Listening to verses in triplets can also make the rappers’ flow feel cleaner. Lyrically, the songs can be flexible or rigid, allowing a diverse range of rap styles to be done over the beat.
Hold Up! Time for an Explanatory Comma
This episode from NPR's Code Switch podcast reminds me of Bell's discussion of audience design. Code Switch is a podcast by journalists of color where they discuss race and identity. Sometimes, the topics they discuss are out of context for those who have different socialization. In the episode below, they talk about having to use what they call an "Explanatory comma" in order to accommodate the different backgrounds of their listeners. [Published on 12-14-2016]
ASL Interpretation of Music
Play videoThe video starts by explaining some basics of ASL. It goes on to discuss the complexities of interpreting music in ASL and the language ideologies associated with ASL and deafness. I think this video also addresses issues of language and power when it discusses how ASL is subordinate to spoken language at things like music events, which limits access for those who are part of the ASL speech community.
Die Antwoord's Evil Boy: A Dynamic Crossroad of Language, Culture, and Rap in South Africa
Play videoDie Antwoord is a controversial rap group from Cape Town, South Africa fronted by Ninja Yolandi Vi$$er. Speaking from a post-apartheid perspective, this group offers an underrepresented view of young, lower-middle class, white Afrikaans - a subculture known as "Zef." Historically, Zef has been considered a derogatory term describing someone who was white, poor, and "trashy." However, Die Antwoord and others have looked to transform this into a self-reflective, somewhat satirical, parody that Ninja described as being "apocalyptic debris that we’ve stuck together." In this music video, they display their unique code-switching between Afrikaans and English, as well as Xhosa - the Bantu language of the Xhosa people. Adding to their mixed-bag controversial nature, is the relationship of the Afrikaans languages’ association with apartheid.
Through dynamic language and visual use, this video reflects the complex sociocultural and sociolinguistic interactions that occur in this region. The lyrical narrative told is a statement on the clash between traditional tribal circumcision rituals, and the modern subcultures that seem to offer an alternative path to "manhood." This can be heard in the verse by the guest rapper Wanga, sung in his native tongue:
"Mamelapa umnqunduwakho! (listen here, you fucking asshole)
Andifuni ukuyaehlatini! (I don't want to go to the bush with you)
Sukubammba incanca yam! (don't touch my penis)
Andi so stabani! (I’m not a gay)
Incanca yam yeyamantobi! (this penis is for the girls)
Incanca yam iclean! (my penis is clean)
Incanca yam inamandla! (my penis is strong)
Ndiyinkwekwe enkulu! (I am a big boy)
Angi funi ukuba yeendota! (don't want to be a man)
Evil boy 4 life! yebo! (yes)
Evil boy 4 life!"
Through the use of polyglossic code-switching, performativity, sociocultural and racial integration, and a revamping of contextual meanings, Die Antwoord is doing its part to redefine what it means to be young and Zef in South Africa, and what a socioculturally- and sociolinguistically-complex rebellion sounds like.
Kroll Show - Rich Dicks - Dunch
Play videoIn this Kroll Show skit, Rich Dicks, Drunch, the two men, Wendy and Aspen, embellish their “rich” lifestyle by the purchasing a restaurant. They get the name of their restaurant by combining “dinner” and “lunch.” Customers who are are in the same socioeconomic community as them elongate words and use a higher pitched tone resulting in intonation after a statement. Additionally, they insert “r” in several words, like in Liam Nersen(Neeson), carsh (cash), and hur (here), resulting in a /ar/, /ʌr/ or a hooked schwa sound. To differentiate the socioeconomic status between the characters, the chef in the skit does not follow the same language performance as Wendy and Aspen.
Barack Obama - Code Switcher
Play videoCode switching is a large part of a public figures publicity arsenal. Being able to switch mannerisms, linguistic traits, and other factors of a depiction of self is incredibly important in the formulation of a diverse and accepting group of constituents. Being able to maintain all the code switching when prompted is also necessary for maintaining those groups, because being able to appear like you know exactly what they’re experiencing shows commitment and understanding. Barack Obama was known through various examples to show his ability to code switch based on the community he was visiting, whether it be rural North Carolina church, or USA basketball locker rooms. In this clip, we see his interactions with various players, male and female, and the coaching staffs. Take note how he changes the way he speaks based on their perceived race and whether they are a coach or a player. In addition, the status of the individuals he is addressing changes the way he speaks. For example, the way he talks to LeBron James (superstar) and Anthony Davis (rookie at the time) are different, even though they are both power forwards for the USA Men’s basketball team. Furthermore, in his recounting of the story about Joe Biden’s daughter, we see his use of different speech techniques with a coach who is white when compared to interactions with a black player. Finally, the handshake at the beginning of the video with Kevin Durant is a great example of an on the fly code switch.
The New York Jewish Accent
Play videoThe idea of the Jewish-American accent highlights the ways in which language associates with a specific group of people and can sometimes be used as a way to stereotype a group of people. Generally, the Jewish accent is tied with the Brooklyn/New York accent, as the boroughs of New York are a big place for Jewish populations. Especially in mainstream media, like “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” have perpetuated the idea of the New Yorker Jew. The idea of code-switching and mixing languages is also prominent in the accent, as Jewish people are more likely to use Yiddish words in their everyday language. In the first media, Larry David amps up his Jewish slang and emphasizes his accent/Yiddish knowledge even more to make the other man know that he is Jewish. In the second video about Bernie Sanders, his accent is in part tied to his Judaism, as well as his hometown. Certain words and phrases, along with the accent, are sometimes tied almost to a learned part of language in Jewish families, especially in more religious households. (For another video of interest, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waeXBCUkuL8 [from 3:06])
Dogs Are Doggos: An Internet Language Built Around Love For The Puppers
An article describing the evolution of "doggolingo" across the internet over the past few years. It does cite linguists as commenting on the trends. Comments on the lexical and onomatopoetic nature of the "lingo." [Published on 04-23-2017]
At UMass lecture, Stanford professor tackles prejudice against African-American English in courtrooms
A woman’s testimony in court is accused of being “unintelligible” because she speaks a different dialect of English, specifically African American English. The slang terms or speech patterns that she uses do not sound grammatically correct to the courtroom, but back home, it is normal speech. Rickford interestingly notes in the article that since interpreters for foreign languages are used in the courtroom, we should also use those resources of dialects of English that are not as easily interpreted by conventional speakers of the language.
Teen Slang: What's, like, so wrong with like?
This article is about the use of 'like' and other fillers and the way it is deemed inappropriate. It is commonly used among teens as a way of 'belonging', and is used in certain contexts. The article also goes on to say that someone might not like the use of fillers because they are not part of the speech community it's used in. [Published on 09-28-2010]
Language and culture
Play videoThis video shows the experience of three young people who have traveled to different places around the world. Their experiences show us how language shapes the perception and understanding of people. It is also shown that language is under major influence of culture and the ideology of different regions.
Plan Now to Avoid Post - Brexit Languages Crisis
There is a focus right now on the education system of the UK, with areas most at risk being language performance. If a crisis was to emerge in language performance from the UK split areas of official practice; such as trade, could be jeopardized. There are plans as of right now to push and ensure the emphasis on particularly language skills to ensure the enhancement post Brexit. This plan includes residency and a national plan to better primary education to even the post graduate level. With the quality of education slipping in the UK as it is, and a nation wide crisis within the linguistics field, the Brexit could only worsen the matter with children potentially receiving a lacking education. The goal of these reforms and education plan is to ensure a quality education to students at all levels, and hopefully encourage the emergence of language skill teachers and even linguistics majors. [Published on 10-16-2016]
Woman kicked out of Quebec hospital for speaking english
Play videoTwo reporters from the Sun News discuss the Quebec French language ideologies that have begun spurring discrimination towards other linguistic communities within the region.
Speech Community
Speech community is a form of social linguistic. When two people speak the same language, it doesn’t mean the two are in the same speech community. Knowing local knowledge is a key factor of being in a specific speech community. Individuals are typically associated with many speech communities, such as family community, peer community and professional community. [Published on 09-25-2015]
Language Barriers
Language barrier is not only two people speaking two different languages. Word choices, linguistic ability, slangs, abbreviation and grammar can also identify language barrier. Language barrier stands for “no meaning” communication that can lead to misunderstanding. Even when two people speak same languages, there can be a language barrier because not everybody understands professional technical terms unless working in the field.
Stunning animated game helps teach endangered Aboriginal language
In recent times there has been a resurgence for Australians to get in touch with their families native languages, possibly noticing that once their family members die off, there is no one left to speak it. With this game being released, it's hopes are to draw enough attention to Merra, by interactively engaging players with words, and icons to keep the language alive. There are only a handful of people in the world that speak Merra, and the creator related with his own native Indigenous language being almost lost within his family as well. Hopefully this game takes off and is successful enough to spur other similar games that bring attention to Indigenous Australian languages globally. [Published on 10-06-2016]
What is Ebonics?
A look into what Ebonics sounds like and how people feel about this style of speaking.
Do You Speak American?
Scholar and author, John G. Fought, focuses on how different dialect uses around the country affect the pronunciation of words and formation of speech patterns. Fought explains how the history of the United States has shaped language and has helped develop speech communities into what they are today. The media's role in what is considered "American" in regard to language is also described by Fought, touching on its key part in influencing specific dialect in different regions.
He is Mi and I am Yu
Play videoThis is a clip from the movie Rush Hour 3 where Agent Carter is confused because of translations between Chinese and English. This clip touches issues on multilinguistic practices, translation, communication barriers, and so on. Because of the differences Agent Carter was getting frustrated making the situation worse.
Sh%t Southern Women Say, Episode 1
Play videoThis comical satire highlights common phrases and slang frequently used by southern women. These iconic sayings can also index their southern roots.
Spanglish with George Lopez
Play videoI have included a link to a video of Comedian George Lopez doing stand up comedy and talking about how Spanglish will always be used in America. This is interesting to me not only because of doing research paper on mock Spanish but also because I am Hispanic and have heard my relatives talk just how he does in the video.
Perfomativity of language in different speech communities
Play videoThe video is a speech made by Donald Trump. It is obvious that the different speech communities that Donald Trump are in contribute to his different styles of speaking.
The Differences Between Latin American Spanish and Spanish in Spain
This article, by Alex Hammond, gives a historical background on how Spanish came to be different all throughout South America, Central America, and Spain through segregated colonialism and practices of differing phrases and words. [Published on 02-06-2012]
Why Linguists are Fascinated by the American Jewish Accent
In this article, the various features of what are commonly associated with the American Jewish accent are detailed. This accent is often associated with comedians such as Mel Brooks, Larry David, and Don Rickles. The accent, while not as widespread as it used to be, is still recognizable to listeners by the word order and intonation it borrows from Yiddish, Hebrew, and other languages of prominent Jewish communities.
[Published on 09-26-2016]
The Specialized Language of Sports
This is a link to a blog post describing the specialized language of sports. This post highlights the various terminology used in a variety of sports. The author describes some of his favorite terms in both American sports as well as terms used in European countries. He likes these terms for the actual sound the words make when uttered.
Tags: Community of practice, British, French, Portuguese, Italian, Slang, semantics [Published on 08-11-2010]
“Things You Do Online That’d Be Creepy In Real Life”
Play videoThis video draws attention to how social media has gone further than just coining new slang terms; it has created a new language with entirely different governing rules. It points out the significant differences in styles of communication between face-to-face contact and social media interactions. The most striking examples are the performative declarations that would seem strange if spoken in front of a live audience. Here we see just how easily we take for granted this major shift in our everyday life.
New Slang Added to Australian Dictionary
This article covers the addition of modern Australian slang to their national dictionary. The content added includes modern words and phrases commonly used by the various Australian native dialects and their definitions. As a lot of Australian saying and slang are uncommon and foreign to other English speakers, this addition to the Australian dictionary can provide definitions for their otherwise unfamiliar sayings. [Published on 08-24-2016]
How WSJ Used an Algorithm to Analyze ‘Hamilton’ the Musical
Joel Eastwood and Erik Hinton wrote an algorithm to analyze the different types of rhymes used in the tony Award Winning Broadway Musical "Hamilton", and reveal their Hip-Hop influences. [Published on 06-06-2016]
Brits And Americans Don't Speak The Same Language In The Kitchen
The Author, a U.K. native moves to the United States. She attempts to make cookies with her child and learns, due cultural disconnect in wordage, she is actually making biscuits. [Published on 10-13-2011]
Twitch Speak the Language of Twitch Chat
This short article attempts to delve into the appeal of twitch.tv's brand of emoji language and how it has developed into its own language community that spans multiple continents. [Published on 08-08-2014]
Use of AAE in Marketing: Jet Blue Example
Jet Blue utilized the term "fleek" in their marketing, which arose from "Black twitter" and is typically considered African American English. It backfires and is deemed as inauthentic, and lots call into question whether it is "professional". This relates to language ideologies; we have certain expectations of who should be speaking in what way, as well as shared ideologies within a particular community of practice. [Published on 02-23-2015]
Speech community or community practice/ code switching and the big bang theory
Play videoThis is a great example of a group of people who are speaking English but the are speaking a jargon that they only know and those that are in their field or have the same interests shear known as Community practice. code-switching within their speech community.
The Foreigner's Guide to Irish Accents
Play videoVideo shows how tightly a language can be held to a very small geographic region, even when in close proximity to others of a different dialect.
Bacon Bowl
Play videoThe Bacon Bowl commercial shows how knowledge about certain language communities and indexicality are used to make sales. The female host uses rhymes within her cheerfully delivered presentation, common staples of similarly-styled "As Seen on TV" commercials that index friendly and familiar qualities to appeal to a stereotypical mom or grandma audience. In addition, the host emphasizes diet and portions, along with rather specific cooking terms like "crisp up evenly" and "cut of bacon", and serves up an "I heart bacon bowl" pin as a free gift, further intending to index a generally female, family-oriented language community.
Yo skater!
This sign photo was posted by a TripAdvisor user who visited North Vancouver. The sign is aimed at skateboarders. By using slang language that indexes stereotypical skateboarders and the style in which they are perceived to generally speak, the Parks Department attempts to be humorous by exaggeratedly targeting the skater community, but in the process is trying to make a directed message with this style.
Marketing For Deadpool
This photo is a billboard promoting the movie, Deadpool. As you can see, the billboard displays emojis. If you were unaware of the movie or did not recognize or utilize emojis, this would not make much sense. This displays how our language and communication has developed into the digital age, where we use emoticons to convey messages.
The Language of Twins
This article provides a good overview of language acquisition among twins and the possible development of “cryptophasia,” or a secret language. The article points out that, when they are young, twins spend a great deal of time with each other and reinforce each other’s language mistakes, thus creating a unique form of communication. They are, in a sense, their own community of practice. [Published on 08-24-2011]
What Do Deaf People Think of the Show, "Switched at Birth"?
In this thread, we see a few responses to the question, "What do deaf people think about the show, "Switched at Birth"?" The show is a teenage drama sitcom which portrays many deaf and hard-of-hearing characters alongside hearing characters. The show features characters whose first language is ASL, some who learned later in life and some who are just learning. The first piece on the thread, written by Spencer Horelik is a pretty detailed response to the question. I thought his comments on a hearing actress playing the show's main character, a Deaf teen to be very interesting. [Published on 02-14-2015]
The Language of Pokémon
Play videoThis short video illustrates how Pokémon trading card game (TCG) players comprise a community of practice with its own unique vocabulary. The community has millions of members and, arguably, has created its own culture and rituals reflected in the words that it uses.
Bilingual Talks
YouTuber Hyunwoo Sun's segment Bilingual Talks, where two speakers of two languages have a conversation either with each speaker using a different language, or with the speakers switching back and forth between languages.
Key & Peele: Meegan, Come Back
Play videoWe all know the comedians Key and Peele, but what most people don't know is that Peele has a popular "Meegan" skit, where he portrays himself as a woman. He has also voiced several female characters, one of them on the cartoon show "Bob's Burgers." This video is an example of not only how a stereotypical woman would act, but also how she might sound.
Do second and third-born children really talk late?
"What the research says about birth order and early language development." Having observed my two youngest at an early age (they are 15 months apart) the oldest of the two was constantly speaking for the youngest one. I would ask for my oldest to let her sister talk but they had their own speech community. The younger one was always content to let the older one speak for her. It did not seem to me to hinder her language or speech readiness once she did start speaking for herself.
The Top 10 Most Frequently Mispronounced Foods
Language borrowing has been an interest to various fields of linguistics for some time. A good example of loanwords can be found on menus. Here is a list of “The Top 10 Most Frequently Mispronounced Foods” by Kemp Minifie
'Thug Life' and the Effect of Hip-Hop on Language
This audio talks about how hip hop influence today's language. The word "Thug" is discussed and explained how the words meaning has changed over time.
The 5 Big Advantages to Learning Multiple Languages
This website gives you the 5 biggest reasons why learning a another language besides your own is definitely in your best interest. From the brain power to, the language structure of each language, all reasons are perfectly applicable.
Why these UK school kids love learning languages
Play videoThis group of students talk about why they feel it is important to learn a different language.These students are amazing in the sense that they seem so grown up and ready to take on the world, and language is one very powerful tool to help them do just that!
Does Not Speaking Spanish Make You Less Latino? Pero Like Ep.4
Play videoThis article discusses speech communities and how the language you speak does or does not define your culture. In this example, the video is discussing if not speaking Spanish makes you less Latino.
How to understand the differences between British and American English
Play videoThe video does a great job at comparing words and the differences in meanings they can portray whether being interpreted from someone from the U.S OR U.K. It shows the power of the interpretation of language and how it can cause an interaction to be positive or negative. It shows the importance of linguistic relativity and the social context individuals are a part of.
10 Surprising Ways to Offend People in Other Countries
Play videoThe video explores how the use of body language can mean one thing to a culture and a completely different thing to another. It provides good evidence to show that language can be communicated in other ways than verbal cues. It also shows the importance of the environment and the socialization process.
If Asians said the Stuff White People Say
Play videoThe video is a complete spoof but it does a great job of identifying how the Asian population can be categorized into one giant category. It illustrated linguistic discrimination and shows how the social context you live in can influence a culture's way of thought.
Rather Be ASL Cover Music Video
Play videoA teacher, Brittany Adams, creates her own version of popular music videos using American Sign Language (ASL) as a way to connect with her students and make learning enjoyable and fun, as well as raise awareness in hopes that others will want to learn ASL as a way to communicate.
Speech Community Project
Play videoStudents of UNCC discuss their experiences within different speech communities, and how different ways of speaking separate each of us into different groups.
How American accents are changing
A detailed map of how American accents are changing.
Hillary Clinton "Hispandering" Pummeled On Twitter
Play videoA news reporter talks about Hillary Clinton and her "Washington games." He mentions that now because of the internet, she is no longer able to continue the same political approach as she has in the past. He also calls her out on her calm that she is just like the Latinos abuela, and how far off she really is with this claim.
creole languages
encyclopedia britannica's definition/history of creole language
Tense Present: Democracy, English and the Wars Over Usage
David Foster Wallace reviews 'A Dictionary of Modern American Usage'. In so doing, Wallace explores how language rules are developed and on what authority they are created. Near the end he tells a story about trying to convince students to write in what he calls SWE "Standard Written English" or "Standard White English". [Published on 04-01-2001]
West Coast Speech Community
Play videoThis is an example of a speech community. In the video, she is referring to the different ways in which her speech community interacts compared to the area she is in now. Her examples should be relatable to many living on the West Coast.
Jewish American uses of Yiddish
Play videoThis Video contains Jewish Americans using select Yiddish words and Slang words such as JAP(Jewish American Princess).
Garrard McClendon on Black English - Ebonics
Play videoGarrad McClendon addresses the dangers of the African American language. Although he believes the African American language is beautiful, he feels strongly that the African Americans in the US need to learn how to code-switch. They need to learn when it is appropriate to talk in slang and when it is necessary to code-switch to "proper" English. Garrad also addresses the issues that teachers need to become more aggressive in correcting children's language at a young age and not be afraid of doing so. The children's future is dependent on being taught proper English and being correct when they don't use it.
Linguistic- Code Switching
Play videoThis video gives the breakdown of code-switching in America. It talks about all the different types of English that exist in US. It also addresses why and individual partitakes in this linguistic practice; a word translation doesn't come to mind so they revert to the word in another language, or they are purposely excluding others from understanding. Code Switching if referred to different terms depending on the language mixture; Spanglish, Chinglish, etc.
How Code-Switching Explains The World
This NPR article addresses the linguistic practices of code switching and how prevalent it is in today's society. NPR's approach is not as true to the linguistic anthropologist term because it looks at different linguistic practices and behaviors of individuals when interacting with different groups or in different settings. It looks at at broader range than just the mixture of two different languages.
"Pick-Up Artist"
Play videoThis artifact is showing how different people communicate on a daily basis, and how each person has a different way of showing how the communicate. With this skit, most of it exaggerated for comical effect. But this is showing the diversity of people and there language through a simple conversation in group settings. In this skit there is gender rolls being played of femininity and masculinity, while showing the differences within the women's language. And how this "Art of the Pick-Up" class is teaching women how to properly express themselves.
Washington Redskins NBA Commercial
In this advertisement created by the National Congress of American Indians, the narrator takes the viewer through a number of "names" for Native Americans in the United States, including tribal names and other words that could be used to define the communities, before ending with an appeal that Native Americans would never describe themselves as "redskins." [Published on 06-10-2014]
language and social networks
social network factors of language variation
How Social Networks Have Changed the World
Play videoThis video describes how we as a society have changed how we interact with peers and friends. This video also describes the change of how we acknowledge birthdays with those around us.
Debunking Whorfianism
This powerful message about identifying with Veganism principles shows a correlation between the discrimination of diversity in relation to language and Whorfianism. Marla Rose supports some core ideas from John McWhorter's book "The Language Hoax: Why the World Looks the Same in Any Language". [Published on 02-11-2015]
Are There Internet Dialects?
Play videoA run through of different internet communities of practice and different.
Philippine "Gay Lingo"
The following quote from the Bourdieu reading reminded me of Swardspeak (or Bekimon), an argot/slang used by queer communities in the Philippines (where I was born and raised):
"it is not space which defines language but language which defines its space" (44)
(Citation: Bourdieu, Pierre. 1991. Language and Symbolic Power.)
Swardspeak has indeed created a distinct space for gay communities in the Philippines, helping them resist cultural assimilation. The linked Wikipedia article has more information as well as great examples of Swardspeak constructions.
Here's a clip of how it sounds. It's from a hit talk show; the host, Vice Ganda, a queer comedian/TV personality, makes his guests reenact a scene from their movie in standard Tagalog and then in Swardspeak. It's mostly in Tagalog, but I think it's pretty easy to tell how different Swardspeak is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfZ91K2MS6g
Do You Harp a Slib of the Ling?
This article reminded me of the Labov 1972 piece we read for today. It is a good example of language as marking for group identity in a small and isolated population, although it achieves this through very different means than what we saw in regards to Martha's Vineyard. [Published on 02-17-2015]
Language in Baltimore
Website featuring personal blog posts and podcasts about Baltimorese, including "hon" as an identity marker, and African American identity and Baltimorese.
Sounding gay, punk, or jock: What language says about your social group
Sociolinguist Doug Bigham discusses the use of linguistic resources in the construction of style, focusing on the construction of a gay style. [Published on 11-24-2014]
Stereotypes of Variation within a Creole (TCE)
A non-Linguist self reflects on attending her "prestige" secondary school in Trinidad, noting auditory intonational and lexical differences that marks these girls. They also tend to speak closer to the (acrolectal) "Standard," marked as the more educated (prestige) style of discourse. [Published on 07-19-2010]
Treasured Island
An interactive feature, including a number of audio interviews with native residents, profiling the declining population of Tangiers Island, Va. [Published on 05-11-2014]