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The Language of Diversity: A linguist’s perspective

The Language of Diversity: A linguist’s perspective. Anna Marie Trester Georgetown University. Ideology is linguistically moderated. power and worldview are produced and reproduced through language language can embed a prejudicial perspective

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The Language of Diversity: A linguist’s perspective

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  1. The Language of Diversity: A linguist’s perspective Anna Marie Trester Georgetown University

  2. Ideology is linguistically moderated • power and worldview are produced and reproduced through language • language can embed a prejudicial perspective • while most often this occurs below the level of conscious awareness, that is not to say that it is not powerful or potentially damaging • E.g. “girls” to refer to women in support staff

  3. Linguistics • The scientific study of language • Helps to expose underlying assumptions embedded in language • Based on an understanding that language ALWAYS evolving / changing • Difference does not equal deficiency

  4. Some linguistic changes in talking about diversity From: Affirmative Action, Diversity TO: Inclusion From: Tolerance and Sensitivity TO: Crosscultural Competence From: American Ethnocentrism TO: Developing World Cultural awareness

  5. Framing (George Lakoff) • language always comes with what is called "framing." • Every word is defined relative to a conceptual framework. • Framing defines the problem in its own way and hence constrains the solutions needed to address that problem (i.e “tax relief”)

  6. “Illegal aliens” / “Illegals” • Dehumanizes • Stresses criminality and otherness • “Illegal” evokes a frame of criminality • Imagine calling speeders “illegal drivers” • “Alien” evokes non-human beings invading, foreign • The illegal frame “blocks” questions like: • why people coming to US • what services they provide while here • why they feel it necessary to avoid legal channels.

  7. Why do the work of examining language choice? (Castania 2003) • We chose to use words that convey sensitivity and understanding not because we want to be “correct” but because how we use words affects people – their concept of themselves and members of their group and the ability to create and maintain authentic relationships across differences. • [terms] allow us acknowledge, speak about, and deal with the outcomes of racial and color divisions of the past and present, while moving toward a more genuine partnership in future.

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