alright there we are to begin I need to give everybody a little key now face
give everybody a little key now face
give everybody a little key now face that you see here you kind of need to
that you see here you kind of need to
that you see here you kind of need to know what that is for at least a few of
know what that is for at least a few of
know what that is for at least a few of the slides it’s the face of Alex Mendes
the slides it’s the face of Alex Mendes
the slides it’s the face of Alex Mendes from twitch TV you can look at it up
from twitch TV you can look at it up
from twitch TV you can look at it up later but it’s called a twitch emotes
later but it’s called a twitch emotes
later but it’s called a twitch emotes and it’s basically kind of like an emoji
and it’s basically kind of like an emoji
and it’s basically kind of like an emoji but in a particular domain and this one
but in a particular domain and this one
but in a particular domain and this one means something like shocked surprised
means something like shocked surprised
means something like shocked surprised or bewilderment it’s called what face
or bewilderment it’s called what face
or bewilderment it’s called what face you can look it up fun later
you can look it up fun later
you can look it up fun later but you need to know what it means to
but you need to know what it means to
but you need to know what it means to get through the rest of this talk now
get through the rest of this talk now
get through the rest of this talk now all of us at some point have been
all of us at some point have been
all of us at some point have been corrected for something that we’ve said
corrected for something that we’ve said
corrected for something that we’ve said whether it’s who were a child and we’re
whether it’s who were a child and we’re
whether it’s who were a child and we’re about to wet our pants and we say can I
about to wet our pants and we say can I
about to wet our pants and we say can I go to the bathroom and some of them
go to the bathroom and some of them
go to the bathroom and some of them retorts I don’t know can you or if we’re
retorts I don’t know can you or if we’re
retorts I don’t know can you or if we’re talking to our friends and we say oh my
talking to our friends and we say oh my
talking to our friends and we say oh my gosh I literally died and they pretend
gosh I literally died and they pretend
gosh I literally died and they pretend like they’re inigo montoya from The
like they’re inigo montoya from The
like they’re inigo montoya from The Princess Bride and say you keep using
Princess Bride and say you keep using
Princess Bride and say you keep using that word I don’t think it means what
that word I don’t think it means what
that word I don’t think it means what you think it means and really no one is
you think it means and really no one is
you think it means and really no one is safe it doesn’t matter how educated you
safe it doesn’t matter how educated you
safe it doesn’t matter how educated you are it doesn’t matter how successful you
are it doesn’t matter how successful you
are it doesn’t matter how successful you are
are
are recently LeBron James experiencing
recently LeBron James experiencing
recently LeBron James experiencing something similar on Twitter when he
something similar on Twitter when he
something similar on Twitter when he tweets you bummed at Stephen Curry 30
tweets you bummed at Stephen Curry 30
tweets you bummed at Stephen Curry 30 already said he ain’t going so therefore
already said he ain’t going so therefore
already said he ain’t going so therefore ain’t no invite going to the White House
ain’t no invite going to the White House
ain’t no invite going to the White House was a great honor until you showed up
was a great honor until you showed up
was a great honor until you showed up and Mark dice who identifies himself as
and Mark dice who identifies himself as
and Mark dice who identifies himself as a media analyst says isn’t going as the
a media analyst says isn’t going as the
a media analyst says isn’t going as the proper grammar look Ron you sure can
proper grammar look Ron you sure can
proper grammar look Ron you sure can bounce the ball but putting together a
bounce the ball but putting together a
bounce the ball but putting together a proper sentence just isn’t your thing
proper sentence just isn’t your thing
proper sentence just isn’t your thing sad and I think we’ve all been put in
sad and I think we’ve all been put in
sad and I think we’ve all been put in this place and what we want to say is
this place and what we want to say is
this place and what we want to say is kind of something like what this person
kind of something like what this person
kind of something like what this person said in defense of LeBron yo mark don’t
said in defense of LeBron yo mark don’t
said in defense of LeBron yo mark don’t be a D who cares it’s social media you
be a D who cares it’s social media you
be a D who cares it’s social media you idiot no one uses proper grammar on
idiot no one uses proper grammar on
idiot no one uses proper grammar on social media sites anyway and this last
social media sites anyway and this last
social media sites anyway and this last sentence I’m gonna sort of step to the
sentence I’m gonna sort of step to the
sentence I’m gonna sort of step to the side of it not focus on but this idea
side of it not focus on but this idea
side of it not focus on but this idea that on the one hand would work
that on the one hand would work
that on the one hand would work corrected typically we hate it but on
corrected typically we hate it but on
corrected typically we hate it but on the other hand there’s this interesting
the other hand there’s this interesting
the other hand there’s this interesting tension because even though we hate
tension because even though we hate
tension because even though we hate being corrected we still feel like it’s
being corrected we still feel like it’s
being corrected we still feel like it’s right and it’s honorable and virtuous to
right and it’s honorable and virtuous to
right and it’s honorable and virtuous to correct what we see is bad grammar so
correct what we see is bad grammar so
correct what we see is bad grammar so much so that we have cottage industries
much so that we have cottage industries
much so that we have cottage industries of products like mugs and t-shirts and
of products like mugs and t-shirts and
of products like mugs and t-shirts and bumper stickers promoting certain ways
bumper stickers promoting certain ways
bumper stickers promoting certain ways of speaking we have memes alpha wazoo
of speaking we have memes alpha wazoo
of speaking we have memes alpha wazoo we have apps that as you type will
we have apps that as you type will
we have apps that as you type will automatically correct what you’re
automatically correct what you’re
automatically correct what you’re speaking in
speaking in
speaking in case for seeing things saying things
case for seeing things saying things
case for seeing things saying things like I’m just writing to say that I’m
like I’m just writing to say that I’m
like I’m just writing to say that I’m sorry I’m no expert but and supposedly
sorry I’m no expert but and supposedly
sorry I’m no expert but and supposedly this is going to devalue your message
this is going to devalue your message
this is going to devalue your message and so we have this really interesting
and so we have this really interesting
and so we have this really interesting tension between the fact that we hate
tension between the fact that we hate
tension between the fact that we hate being corrected but at the same time we
being corrected but at the same time we
being corrected but at the same time we think that it’s right because most of us
think that it’s right because most of us
think that it’s right because most of us really are taught not to question
really are taught not to question
really are taught not to question grammar grammar is this thing that’s
grammar grammar is this thing that’s
grammar grammar is this thing that’s just objective and out there and just
just objective and out there and just
just objective and out there and just the way that society works so I’m you
the way that society works so I’m you
the way that society works so I’m you know the title of this talk is why
know the title of this talk is why
know the title of this talk is why proper grammar is harmful to society so
proper grammar is harmful to society so
proper grammar is harmful to society so I need to do a little bit of explaining
I need to do a little bit of explaining
I need to do a little bit of explaining that’s what I mean by proper grammar now
that’s what I mean by proper grammar now
that’s what I mean by proper grammar now most of us I’m assuming have the
most of us I’m assuming have the
most of us I’m assuming have the standard operating definition that
standard operating definition that
standard operating definition that proper grammar is really all about right
proper grammar is really all about right
proper grammar is really all about right and wrong ways to speak right and wrong
and wrong ways to speak right and wrong
and wrong ways to speak right and wrong ways to use language but a perspective
ways to use language but a perspective
ways to use language but a perspective that’s oftentimes found in linguistics
that’s oftentimes found in linguistics
that’s oftentimes found in linguistics is that this isn’t a real thing but
is that this isn’t a real thing but
is that this isn’t a real thing but proper grammar is really the myth that
proper grammar is really the myth that
proper grammar is really the myth that there actually are right and rape or out
there actually are right and rape or out
there actually are right and rape or out wrong ways to talk in the academic world
wrong ways to talk in the academic world
wrong ways to talk in the academic world we typically talk about this in in the
we typically talk about this in in the
we typically talk about this in in the terms of standard language ideologies
terms of standard language ideologies
terms of standard language ideologies now that’s a very broad thing and it
now that’s a very broad thing and it
now that’s a very broad thing and it takes shape in many different ways in
takes shape in many different ways in
takes shape in many different ways in many different cultures and communities
many different cultures and communities
many different cultures and communities but by and large this talk is about
but by and large this talk is about
but by and large this talk is about standard language ideologies that result
standard language ideologies that result
standard language ideologies that result in particular hierarchies and social
in particular hierarchies and social
in particular hierarchies and social stratification that is basically a
stratification that is basically a
stratification that is basically a particular species that finds expression
particular species that finds expression
particular species that finds expression in the United States and some other
in the United States and some other
in the United States and some other places as well now we can ask a lot of
places as well now we can ask a lot of
places as well now we can ask a lot of questions about proper grammar some
questions about proper grammar some
questions about proper grammar some people focus on the structure of
people focus on the structure of
people focus on the structure of different grammatical things I’m a
different grammatical things I’m a
different grammatical things I’m a linguistic a nerd I’d love to do that I
linguistic a nerd I’d love to do that I
linguistic a nerd I’d love to do that I don’t think everyone will be as excited
don’t think everyone will be as excited
don’t think everyone will be as excited here to hear about those things so I’m
here to hear about those things so I’m
here to hear about those things so I’m not gonna focus on that one other
not gonna focus on that one other
not gonna focus on that one other interesting question is how do we come
interesting question is how do we come
interesting question is how do we come to acquire these beliefs and a little
to acquire these beliefs and a little
to acquire these beliefs and a little bit of that is implicit in this talk but
bit of that is implicit in this talk but
bit of that is implicit in this talk but by and large I’m going to focus on the
by and large I’m going to focus on the
by and large I’m going to focus on the second and third points here what are
second and third points here what are
second and third points here what are the basis for the beliefs that we have
the basis for the beliefs that we have
the basis for the beliefs that we have about what constitutes proper grammar or
about what constitutes proper grammar or
about what constitutes proper grammar or what constitutes improper grammar and
what constitutes improper grammar and
what constitutes improper grammar and then how does this notion of proper
then how does this notion of proper
then how does this notion of proper grammar actually impact our ability to
grammar actually impact our ability to
grammar actually impact our ability to value and appreciate diversity now
value and appreciate diversity now
value and appreciate diversity now another thing that I needed to say from
another thing that I needed to say from
another thing that I needed to say from the outset is I’m really not going for
the outset is I’m really not going for
the outset is I’m really not going for points of novelty here you can kind of
points of novelty here you can kind of
points of novelty here you can kind of interpret what I’m going to do is
interpret what I’m going to do is
interpret what I’m going to do is basically my version or my take on a
basically my version or my take on a
basically my version or my take on a linguistics public service announcement
linguistics public service announcement
linguistics public service announcement that’s been going on for decades and
that’s been going on for decades and
that’s been going on for decades and some of the constructions that I’m going
some of the constructions that I’m going
some of the constructions that I’m going to focus on here you see in the first
to focus on here you see in the first
to focus on here you see in the first two weeks
two weeks
two weeks ampuls what we call commonly double
ampuls what we call commonly double
ampuls what we call commonly double negatives where we have just loosely
negatives where we have just loosely
negatives where we have just loosely define as more than one instance and
define as more than one instance and
define as more than one instance and negation and something like a sentence
negation and something like a sentence
negation and something like a sentence and the other example that I’m gonna
and the other example that I’m gonna
and the other example that I’m gonna focus on is when some people use the
focus on is when some people use the
focus on is when some people use the verb that means to inquire and it’s
verb that means to inquire and it’s
verb that means to inquire and it’s pronounced ax as opposed to ask which is
pronounced ax as opposed to ask which is
pronounced ax as opposed to ask which is maybe what many of us say and the reason
maybe what many of us say and the reason
maybe what many of us say and the reason that I want to focus on B’s too is
that I want to focus on B’s too is
that I want to focus on B’s too is because oftentimes they trigger very
because oftentimes they trigger very
because oftentimes they trigger very very emotional reactions and over the
very emotional reactions and over the
very emotional reactions and over the years since I’ve been in linguistics
years since I’ve been in linguistics
years since I’ve been in linguistics I’ve come across many people that have
I’ve come across many people that have
I’ve come across many people that have very very strong negative reactions
very very strong negative reactions
very very strong negative reactions these two forms in particular and so
these two forms in particular and so
these two forms in particular and so this talk is really built from in an
this talk is really built from in an
this talk is really built from in an outworking of all these conversations
outworking of all these conversations
outworking of all these conversations that I’ve been having for the past you
that I’ve been having for the past you
that I’ve been having for the past you know 10 or more years in studying
know 10 or more years in studying
know 10 or more years in studying linguistics and that’s partly driven by
linguistics and that’s partly driven by
linguistics and that’s partly driven by nobody knows what a linguist actually
nobody knows what a linguist actually
nobody knows what a linguist actually does I sure didn’t before I got into it
does I sure didn’t before I got into it
does I sure didn’t before I got into it but the idea I think we have is that
but the idea I think we have is that
but the idea I think we have is that okay linguists must be a person who
okay linguists must be a person who
okay linguists must be a person who professionally studies language
professionally studies language
professionally studies language therefore they’re really all about
therefore they’re really all about
therefore they’re really all about writing wrong ways to speak and that’s
writing wrong ways to speak and that’s
writing wrong ways to speak and that’s not necessarily the case but that means
not necessarily the case but that means
not necessarily the case but that means you get approached all the time asking
you get approached all the time asking
you get approached all the time asking well why should what should or shouldn’t
well why should what should or shouldn’t
well why should what should or shouldn’t people say this or that or that kind of
people say this or that or that kind of
people say this or that or that kind of thing but these are the kind of
thing but these are the kind of
thing but these are the kind of constructions that are going to be
constructions that are going to be
constructions that are going to be focusing on today though we could use a
focusing on today though we could use a
focusing on today though we could use a lot of different examples to basically
lot of different examples to basically
lot of different examples to basically craft the same type of point so what I’m
craft the same type of point so what I’m
craft the same type of point so what I’m going to do is basically walk through
going to do is basically walk through
going to do is basically walk through very common arguments that I’ve
very common arguments that I’ve
very common arguments that I’ve experienced against these forms why we
experienced against these forms why we
experienced against these forms why we should avoid them and why they’re
should avoid them and why they’re
should avoid them and why they’re improper and talk about whether or not
improper and talk about whether or not
improper and talk about whether or not they’re valid and then really consider
they’re valid and then really consider
they’re valid and then really consider what are the social implications for
what are the social implications for
what are the social implications for these beliefs afterwards so by and large
these beliefs afterwards so by and large
these beliefs afterwards so by and large in my experience the most common thing
in my experience the most common thing
in my experience the most common thing that I hear for why we shouldn’t use
that I hear for why we shouldn’t use
that I hear for why we shouldn’t use double negatives is that they’re
double negatives is that they’re
double negatives is that they’re illogical and this is based on an idea
illogical and this is based on an idea
illogical and this is based on an idea that was promulgated about 300 years ago
that was promulgated about 300 years ago
that was promulgated about 300 years ago made famous in these grammars that were
made famous in these grammars that were
made famous in these grammars that were used in in schools all throughout the
used in in schools all throughout the
used in in schools all throughout the United States in the UK that if you have
United States in the UK that if you have
United States in the UK that if you have a negative plus a negative and language
a negative plus a negative and language
a negative plus a negative and language it cancels each other out and you get a
it cancels each other out and you get a
it cancels each other out and you get a positive and I think all of us have
positive and I think all of us have
positive and I think all of us have probably been taught this at school one
probably been taught this at school one
probably been taught this at school one basic problem of this is that if we look
basic problem of this is that if we look
basic problem of this is that if we look at the linguistic situation around the
at the linguistic situation around the
at the linguistic situation around the globe so this is a map from a site
globe so this is a map from a site
globe so this is a map from a site called the world atlas of language
called the world atlas of language
called the world atlas of language structures online and it’s instances of
structures online and it’s instances of
structures online and it’s instances of languages that behave differently
languages that behave differently
languages that behave differently depending on if you have what’s called a
depending on if you have what’s called a
depending on if you have what’s called a negative indefinite pronoun which is a
negative indefinite pronoun which is a
negative indefinite pronoun which is a word like nobody or no one or nothing
word like nobody or no one or nothing
word like nobody or no one or nothing and whether or not you have to have
and whether or not you have to have
and whether or not you have to have another thing in the sentence that
another thing in the sentence that
another thing in the sentence that actually includes negation so for
actually includes negation so for
actually includes negation so for example if I say I don’t want nothing
example if I say I don’t want nothing
example if I say I don’t want nothing I’ve got a negative pronoun and I’ve got
I’ve got a negative pronoun and I’ve got
I’ve got a negative pronoun and I’ve got negative on the negative instance on the
negative on the negative instance on the
negative on the negative instance on the bird do as well and out of about 200
bird do as well and out of about 200
bird do as well and out of about 200 languages that are sampled here the ones
languages that are sampled here the ones
languages that are sampled here the ones in blue are ones that you have to have
in blue are ones that you have to have
in blue are ones that you have to have both negation on the indefinite pronoun
both negation on the indefinite pronoun
both negation on the indefinite pronoun and negation somewhere else so you can
and negation somewhere else so you can
and negation somewhere else so you can think of these these are languages that
think of these these are languages that
think of these these are languages that require more than one instance of
require more than one instance of
require more than one instance of negation languages like Spanish that if
negation languages like Spanish that if
negation languages like Spanish that if I want to say I don’t want to I don’t
I want to say I don’t want to I don’t
I want to say I don’t want to I don’t want something I literally have to say I
want something I literally have to say I
want something I literally have to say I don’t want nothing or else it’s going to
don’t want nothing or else it’s going to
don’t want nothing or else it’s going to be ungrammatical so if double negatives
be ungrammatical so if double negatives
be ungrammatical so if double negatives are really illogical then we should be
are really illogical then we should be
are really illogical then we should be baffled when we look at the world
baffled when we look at the world
baffled when we look at the world because there are hundreds of languages
because there are hundreds of languages
because there are hundreds of languages spoken across the globe who require
spoken across the globe who require
spoken across the globe who require double negation so this argument doesn’t
double negation so this argument doesn’t
double negation so this argument doesn’t seem to hold up very well the second
seem to hold up very well the second
seem to hold up very well the second argument is kind of a variation on this
argument is kind of a variation on this
argument is kind of a variation on this theme it’s built on the first assumption
theme it’s built on the first assumption
theme it’s built on the first assumption that I talked about last time that
that I talked about last time that
that I talked about last time that you’ve got negatives cancelling each
you’ve got negatives cancelling each
you’ve got negatives cancelling each other out and then the other assumption
other out and then the other assumption
other out and then the other assumption is it basically misinterpretation is
is it basically misinterpretation is
is it basically misinterpretation is going to abound as a result of this
going to abound as a result of this
going to abound as a result of this illogicality so by show of hands who is
illogicality so by show of hands who is
illogicality so by show of hands who is familiar with the song by Bruno Mars
familiar with the song by Bruno Mars
familiar with the song by Bruno Mars that’s what I like okay I so you are so
that’s what I like okay I so you are so
that’s what I like okay I so you are so when Bruno Mars belts out I will never
when Bruno Mars belts out I will never
when Bruno Mars belts out I will never make a promise that I can’t keep
make a promise that I can’t keep
make a promise that I can’t keep followed by I promise you your smile
followed by I promise you your smile
followed by I promise you your smile ain’t gonna never leave so are we
ain’t gonna never leave so are we
ain’t gonna never leave so are we supposed to get to the song and say so
supposed to get to the song and say so
supposed to get to the song and say so that’s what this song is about he’s
that’s what this song is about he’s
that’s what this song is about he’s actually promising this person that he’s
actually promising this person that he’s
actually promising this person that he’s going to make her unhappy and make her
going to make her unhappy and make her
going to make her unhappy and make her smile leave I mean nobody thinks that so
smile leave I mean nobody thinks that so
smile leave I mean nobody thinks that so this idea that they’re confusing doesn’t
this idea that they’re confusing doesn’t
this idea that they’re confusing doesn’t really seem to operate for most of us in
really seem to operate for most of us in
really seem to operate for most of us in the real world we can think of other
the real world we can think of other
the real world we can think of other songs like I love the bill where their
songs like I love the bill where their
songs like I love the bill where their songs ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
songs ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
songs ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone I mean this is a really soulful sad song
I mean this is a really soulful sad song
I mean this is a really soulful sad song but if double nations negation is
but if double nations negation is
but if double nations negation is supposed to be so confusing it should be
supposed to be so confusing it should be
supposed to be so confusing it should be really peppy I mean because basically
really peppy I mean because basically
really peppy I mean because basically this should be a song about I’m so happy
this should be a song about I’m so happy
this should be a song about I’m so happy that this woman is out of my life nobody
that this woman is out of my life nobody
that this woman is out of my life nobody interpreted it that way so it’s really
interpreted it that way so it’s really
interpreted it that way so it’s really this we have to actually force ourselves
this we have to actually force ourselves
this we have to actually force ourselves even if double negation is not a feature
even if double negation is not a feature
even if double negation is not a feature of our own dialect many of us actually
of our own dialect many of us actually
of our own dialect many of us actually have to force ourselves to pretend that
have to force ourselves to pretend that
have to force ourselves to pretend that we don’t understand what
we don’t understand what
we don’t understand what on when in reality there’s no confusion
on when in reality there’s no confusion
on when in reality there’s no confusion in the first place but what’s really
in the first place but what’s really
in the first place but what’s really interesting about this type of
interesting about this type of
interesting about this type of pretending is that we use this as a
pretending is that we use this as a
pretending is that we use this as a pretense we use it as a proxy for other
pretense we use it as a proxy for other
pretense we use it as a proxy for other things like gatekeeping when someone’s
things like gatekeeping when someone’s
things like gatekeeping when someone’s applying for a job now I came across
applying for a job now I came across
applying for a job now I came across this website a couple of years ago and
this website a couple of years ago and
this website a couple of years ago and often talked about it it’s an example in
often talked about it it’s an example in
often talked about it it’s an example in some of my classes this comes from the
some of my classes this comes from the
some of my classes this comes from the BBC website skill-wise which is math and
BBC website skill-wise which is math and
BBC website skill-wise which is math and English skills for an adult and you’re
English skills for an adult and you’re
English skills for an adult and you’re looking at varieties of English and here
looking at varieties of English and here
looking at varieties of English and here the game is you’re supposed to basically
the game is you’re supposed to basically
the game is you’re supposed to basically help this woman Johanna succeed in
help this woman Johanna succeed in
help this woman Johanna succeed in finding a job and you can do a variety
finding a job and you can do a variety
finding a job and you can do a variety of different things but when you start
of different things but when you start
of different things but when you start this you’re told don’t ever say things
this you’re told don’t ever say things
this you’re told don’t ever say things such as I never saw nothing because
such as I never saw nothing because
such as I never saw nothing because that’s confusing so you should say I
that’s confusing so you should say I
that’s confusing so you should say I never saw anything so they’re telling
never saw anything so they’re telling
never saw anything so they’re telling you essentially don’t use this form in a
you essentially don’t use this form in a
you essentially don’t use this form in a workplace environment don’t use this
workplace environment don’t use this
workplace environment don’t use this form when you’re applying for a job
form when you’re applying for a job
form when you’re applying for a job because it leads to confusion so you can
because it leads to confusion so you can
because it leads to confusion so you can choose a couple of different activities
choose a couple of different activities
choose a couple of different activities and the one that I chose to illustrate
and the one that I chose to illustrate
and the one that I chose to illustrate here who is helping Joanna succeed in
here who is helping Joanna succeed in
here who is helping Joanna succeed in the interview and you’re supposed to
the interview and you’re supposed to
the interview and you’re supposed to basically find the ones that have the
basically find the ones that have the
basically find the ones that have the double negative and make sure that you
double negative and make sure that you
double negative and make sure that you don’t ever use them so here the image
don’t ever use them so here the image
don’t ever use them so here the image itself is fascinating and something that
itself is fascinating and something that
itself is fascinating and something that we could probably pick apart but just
we could probably pick apart but just
we could probably pick apart but just looking at what said the person
looking at what said the person
looking at what said the person interviewing says I’m very interested in
interviewing says I’m very interested in
interviewing says I’m very interested in your experience that you have this
your experience that you have this
your experience that you have this previous job basically tell me more one
previous job basically tell me more one
previous job basically tell me more one of the responses is well I was a
of the responses is well I was a
of the responses is well I was a receptionist and I dealt well the
receptionist and I dealt well the
receptionist and I dealt well the visitors customers reps etc and then she
visitors customers reps etc and then she
visitors customers reps etc and then she goes on to say we never got no time to
goes on to say we never got no time to
goes on to say we never got no time to rest
rest
rest so never god no is an example of a
so never god no is an example of a
so never god no is an example of a double negative and I chose this option
double negative and I chose this option
double negative and I chose this option just to see what happens and you get
just to see what happens and you get
just to see what happens and you get this and you’ve chosen wrong way because
this and you’ve chosen wrong way because
this and you’ve chosen wrong way because sorry that’s the wrong choice she’s
sorry that’s the wrong choice she’s
sorry that’s the wrong choice she’s using two negatives never and no and
using two negatives never and no and
using two negatives never and no and that’s confusing even though again we
that’s confusing even though again we
that’s confusing even though again we all know they’re not really confusing in
all know they’re not really confusing in
all know they’re not really confusing in the real world even if it’s not a
the real world even if it’s not a
the real world even if it’s not a feature of our dialects so another
feature of our dialects so another
feature of our dialects so another argument that I commonly come across is
argument that I commonly come across is
argument that I commonly come across is well okay maybe it’s a feature of other
well okay maybe it’s a feature of other
well okay maybe it’s a feature of other languages but it’s just not a feature of
languages but it’s just not a feature of
languages but it’s just not a feature of English – English doesn’t or shouldn’t
English – English doesn’t or shouldn’t
English – English doesn’t or shouldn’t use them and so the argument to – rests
use them and so the argument to – rests
use them and so the argument to – rests on an assumption that double or multiple
on an assumption that double or multiple
on an assumption that double or multiple negation really just isn’t English or
negation really just isn’t English or
negation really just isn’t English or it’s English being messed up in some
it’s English being messed up in some
it’s English being messed up in some particular way this is a map that comes
particular way this is a map that comes
particular way this is a map that comes from the electronic world atlas of
from the electronic world atlas of
from the electronic world atlas of variation in English
variation in English
variation in English this shows a sample of about a hundred
this shows a sample of about a hundred
this shows a sample of about a hundred different varieties of English spoken
different varieties of English spoken
different varieties of English spoken across the globe and kind of similar to
across the globe and kind of similar to
across the globe and kind of similar to the property last time it’s basically
the property last time it’s basically
the property last time it’s basically does your variety of English require you
does your variety of English require you
does your variety of English require you to use multiple instances of negation
to use multiple instances of negation
to use multiple instances of negation and basically if you look at anything
and basically if you look at anything
and basically if you look at anything that’s marked in the red that is a
that’s marked in the red that is a
that’s marked in the red that is a variety of English where you must or
variety of English where you must or
variety of English where you must or usually have to have more than one
usually have to have more than one
usually have to have more than one instance of negation if you’re going to
instance of negation if you’re going to
instance of negation if you’re going to speak grammatically in that particular
speak grammatically in that particular
speak grammatically in that particular dialect so you do look today across the
dialect so you do look today across the
dialect so you do look today across the globe so take a synchronic slice of what
globe so take a synchronic slice of what
globe so take a synchronic slice of what English looks like it is absolutely a
English looks like it is absolutely a
English looks like it is absolutely a feature of English you find it in Welsh
feature of English you find it in Welsh
feature of English you find it in Welsh English you find it in Scottish English
English you find it in Scottish English
English you find it in Scottish English and if we look at diachronic lis and go
and if we look at diachronic lis and go
and if we look at diachronic lis and go back in history we find that double
back in history we find that double
back in history we find that double negation has basically been around since
negation has basically been around since
negation has basically been around since the existence of English double negation
the existence of English double negation
the existence of English double negation that has actually been around for over a
that has actually been around for over a
that has actually been around for over a millennia so here this example below is
millennia so here this example below is
millennia so here this example below is from wives of the saints it means that
from wives of the saints it means that
from wives of the saints it means that no troop could stand up to him but
no troop could stand up to him but
no troop could stand up to him but literally would be translated that no
literally would be translated that no
literally would be translated that no troop could not stand up to him and over
troop could not stand up to him and over
troop could not stand up to him and over a thousand years ago double negation was
a thousand years ago double negation was
a thousand years ago double negation was actually considered to be prestigious so
actually considered to be prestigious so
actually considered to be prestigious so we had a flip in the prestige prestige
we had a flip in the prestige prestige
we had a flip in the prestige prestige which shows us that there’s really
which shows us that there’s really
which shows us that there’s really nothing about this form itself that is
nothing about this form itself that is
nothing about this form itself that is innately good or bad it’s about the
innately good or bad it’s about the
innately good or bad it’s about the value that we attribute to the form and
value that we attribute to the form and
value that we attribute to the form and we’re finding out basically that value
we’re finding out basically that value
we’re finding out basically that value is oftentimes arbitrarily defined so all
is oftentimes arbitrarily defined so all
is oftentimes arbitrarily defined so all of these arguments don’t seem to hold
of these arguments don’t seem to hold
of these arguments don’t seem to hold water so we might begin well why do we
water so we might begin well why do we
water so we might begin well why do we hate double negation so much in the
hate double negation so much in the
hate double negation so much in the first place well let’s move on to Acts
first place well let’s move on to Acts
first place well let’s move on to Acts this is another one that often times you
this is another one that often times you
this is another one that often times you get very very strong reactions against
get very very strong reactions against
get very very strong reactions against so the first argument that I almost hear
so the first argument that I almost hear
so the first argument that I almost hear invariably is well it’s spelled ASX
invariably is well it’s spelled ASX
invariably is well it’s spelled ASX therefore it should be pronounced ax the
therefore it should be pronounced ax the
therefore it should be pronounced ax the basic assumption seems to be well in
basic assumption seems to be well in
basic assumption seems to be well in English the default is to spell words
English the default is to spell words
English the default is to spell words like they sound but here’s where Alex
like they sound but here’s where Alex
like they sound but here’s where Alex Mendez the space wutface is pretty
Mendez the space wutface is pretty
Mendez the space wutface is pretty helpful because we should be wildered
helpful because we should be wildered
helpful because we should be wildered about most words in the English language
about most words in the English language
about most words in the English language that don’t sound anything like they’re
that don’t sound anything like they’re
that don’t sound anything like they’re spelled the word night with a K at the
spelled the word night with a K at the
spelled the word night with a K at the beginning that’s silent how do we get
beginning that’s silent how do we get
beginning that’s silent how do we get away with that debt with a deep with a B
away with that debt with a deep with a B
away with that debt with a deep with a B in the middle of it that we don’t
in the middle of it that we don’t
in the middle of it that we don’t pronounce or all these pairs of words
pronounce or all these pairs of words
pronounce or all these pairs of words that look exactly the same but sound
that look exactly the same but sound
that look exactly the same but sound different like Reed and
different like Reed and
different like Reed and red and wind and wind and dove and dog
red and wind and wind and dove and dog
red and wind and wind and dove and dog and subject versus subject object versus
and subject versus subject object versus
and subject versus subject object versus object and so on and so forth
object and so on and so forth
object and so on and so forth now these things often tell it’s
now these things often tell it’s
now these things often tell it’s fascinating things about the history of
fascinating things about the history of
fascinating things about the history of English so for example a word like night
English so for example a word like night
English so for example a word like night that has that silent K at the beginning
that has that silent K at the beginning
that has that silent K at the beginning it doesn’t get pronounced anymore
it doesn’t get pronounced anymore
it doesn’t get pronounced anymore but it used to actually be pronounced
but it used to actually be pronounced
but it used to actually be pronounced something more along the lines of neat
something more along the lines of neat
something more along the lines of neat so at some point in history some of
so at some point in history some of
so at some point in history some of these silent letters might have actually
these silent letters might have actually
these silent letters might have actually been pronounced some of them like the
been pronounced some of them like the
been pronounced some of them like the peon receipt were added in later when
peon receipt were added in later when
peon receipt were added in later when people were so obsessed with Latin that
people were so obsessed with Latin that
people were so obsessed with Latin that they actually changed the way that that
they actually changed the way that that
they actually changed the way that that word was spelled to reflect the original
word was spelled to reflect the original
word was spelled to reflect the original Latin word even though we got it from
Latin word even though we got it from
Latin word even though we got it from influence from French so that doesn’t
influence from French so that doesn’t
influence from French so that doesn’t seem to be a good argument well the next
seem to be a good argument well the next
seem to be a good argument well the next one is that basically okay you know it’s
one is that basically okay you know it’s
one is that basically okay you know it’s still people switching the letters
still people switching the letters
still people switching the letters around people are messing up the way
around people are messing up the way
around people are messing up the way that it’s pronounced and this relies on
that it’s pronounced and this relies on
that it’s pronounced and this relies on the assumption that ask itself is a
the assumption that ask itself is a
the assumption that ask itself is a basic form and then basically when
basic form and then basically when
basic form and then basically when somebody says acts they’re doing what we
somebody says acts they’re doing what we
somebody says acts they’re doing what we call metathesis which is just a fancy
call metathesis which is just a fancy
call metathesis which is just a fancy word for taking sounds and switching
word for taking sounds and switching
word for taking sounds and switching them around so imagine that I’m in a job
them around so imagine that I’m in a job
them around so imagine that I’m in a job interview and I don’t know when this
interview and I don’t know when this
interview and I don’t know when this ever would happen but let’s say that
ever would happen but let’s say that
ever would happen but let’s say that somebody offered me a hundred grand it’s
somebody offered me a hundred grand it’s
somebody offered me a hundred grand it’s a salary and I say in this interview yes
a salary and I say in this interview yes
a salary and I say in this interview yes I would be comfortable with a hundred
I would be comfortable with a hundred
I would be comfortable with a hundred thousand as a starting salary so who
thousand as a starting salary so who
thousand as a starting salary so who noticed what I did there what was that
noticed what I did there what was that
noticed what I did there what was that so I did something different with the
so I did something different with the
so I did something different with the way that they’re pronounce the word
way that they’re pronounce the word
way that they’re pronounce the word comfortable which is normal for me
comfortable which is normal for me
comfortable which is normal for me or imagine if you’re in the doctor’s
or imagine if you’re in the doctor’s
or imagine if you’re in the doctor’s office and your doctor says to you
office and your doctor says to you
office and your doctor says to you please wait while I get your
please wait while I get your
please wait while I get your prescription what’s wrong with that well
prescription what’s wrong with that well
prescription what’s wrong with that well probably nobody notices what whatever it
probably nobody notices what whatever it
probably nobody notices what whatever it is I’m doing and it’s hard to find out
is I’m doing and it’s hard to find out
is I’m doing and it’s hard to find out but what’s actually happening is that
but what’s actually happening is that
but what’s actually happening is that I’m doing metaphysis instead of saying
I’m doing metaphysis instead of saying
I’m doing metaphysis instead of saying comfortable I’m saying come turrible and
comfortable I’m saying come turrible and
comfortable I’m saying come turrible and switching those sounds around instead of
switching those sounds around instead of
switching those sounds around instead of say a prescription I’m saying
say a prescription I’m saying
say a prescription I’m saying perscription and I’m switching those
perscription and I’m switching those
perscription and I’m switching those sounds around the odd thing about this
sounds around the odd thing about this
sounds around the odd thing about this is no one seems to notice and no one
is no one seems to notice and no one
is no one seems to notice and no one seems to care so again
seems to care so again
seems to care so again why are we so upset about acts and the
why are we so upset about acts and the
why are we so upset about acts and the funny thing is about Acts is that it’s
funny thing is about Acts is that it’s
funny thing is about Acts is that it’s actually not even metathesis it’s a
actually not even metathesis it’s a
actually not even metathesis it’s a really really really old form that’s
really really really old form that’s
really really really old form that’s been used for ever before I get to that
been used for ever before I get to that
been used for ever before I get to that point though
point though
point though the next argument that we get is well
the next argument that we get is well
the next argument that we get is well they’re confusing so kind of like double
they’re confusing so kind of like double
they’re confusing so kind of like double negation and the assumption is if
negation and the assumption is if
negation and the assumption is if somebody hears somebody say axe to me to
somebody hears somebody say axe to me to
somebody hears somebody say axe to me to inquire that they’re gonna think about
inquire that they’re gonna think about
inquire that they’re gonna think about the noun axe that you use to say cut
the noun axe that you use to say cut
the noun axe that you use to say cut down a tree or something like this and I
down a tree or something like this and I
down a tree or something like this and I don’t really have much to say about this
don’t really have much to say about this
don’t really have much to say about this argument because it seems to be so
argument because it seems to be so
argument because it seems to be so absurd that it doesn’t need much in its
absurd that it doesn’t need much in its
absurd that it doesn’t need much in its defense other than what face here so
defense other than what face here so
defense other than what face here so let’s move on to the fourth argument the
let’s move on to the fourth argument the
let’s move on to the fourth argument the fourth argument is well we have to have
fourth argument is well we have to have
fourth argument is well we have to have a single standard well that assumption
a single standard well that assumption
a single standard well that assumption seems to be based on the idea that
seems to be based on the idea that
seems to be based on the idea that variation itself leads to confusion now
variation itself leads to confusion now
variation itself leads to confusion now this is an example of a map that shows
this is an example of a map that shows
this is an example of a map that shows the distribution of ways that speakers
the distribution of ways that speakers
the distribution of ways that speakers in the United States pronounce the word
in the United States pronounce the word
in the United States pronounce the word that spelled B EE in and over on the
that spelled B EE in and over on the
that spelled B EE in and over on the left which you see is that more
left which you see is that more
left which you see is that more concentrated in the south people
concentrated in the south people
concentrated in the south people pronounce it as I do been same type of
pronounce it as I do been same type of
pronounce it as I do been same type of vowel sound a bit as opposed to further
vowel sound a bit as opposed to further
vowel sound a bit as opposed to further to the north people are more likely to
to the north people are more likely to
to the north people are more likely to pronounce it been with the vowel sound
pronounce it been with the vowel sound
pronounce it been with the vowel sound in a word like a bet no one is going to
in a word like a bet no one is going to
in a word like a bet no one is going to bat an eye about this variation and in
bat an eye about this variation and in
bat an eye about this variation and in fact some variation we’d love if
fact some variation we’d love if
fact some variation we’d love if somebody were in a job interview and
somebody were in a job interview and
somebody were in a job interview and they used a prestigious form or what we
they used a prestigious form or what we
they used a prestigious form or what we consider to be a prestigious form of
consider to be a prestigious form of
consider to be a prestigious form of British English we wouldn’t be confused
British English we wouldn’t be confused
British English we wouldn’t be confused at all in fact we might even think more
at all in fact we might even think more
at all in fact we might even think more highly of them because we kind of have a
highly of them because we kind of have a
highly of them because we kind of have a reverse belief about certain varieties
reverse belief about certain varieties
reverse belief about certain varieties of English that are spoken in England as
of English that are spoken in England as
of English that are spoken in England as if they’re better than what we speak
if they’re better than what we speak
if they’re better than what we speak over here so the idea that variation
over here so the idea that variation
over here so the idea that variation leads to confusion also doesn’t seem to
leads to confusion also doesn’t seem to
leads to confusion also doesn’t seem to hold the last argument is basically well
hold the last argument is basically well
hold the last argument is basically well it’s just simply not the right word axe
it’s just simply not the right word axe
it’s just simply not the right word axe isn’t a word and the assumption here is
isn’t a word and the assumption here is
isn’t a word and the assumption here is that it’s either not a word in English
that it’s either not a word in English
that it’s either not a word in English it never has been or it’s new so this
it never has been or it’s new so this
it never has been or it’s new so this came up recently when we’ve got Jennifer
came up recently when we’ve got Jennifer
came up recently when we’ve got Jennifer Hudson who has announced as the coat as
Hudson who has announced as the coat as
Hudson who has announced as the coat as a coach on the voice and someone
a coach on the voice and someone
a coach on the voice and someone responds please have her not say axe it
responds please have her not say axe it
responds please have her not say axe it will never be a word it is always asked
will never be a word it is always asked
will never be a word it is always asked well whoever wrote this tweet is
well whoever wrote this tweet is
well whoever wrote this tweet is actually a pretty ignorant of history if
actually a pretty ignorant of history if
actually a pretty ignorant of history if you go back and look for example 500
you go back and look for example 500
you go back and look for example 500 years ago in the Coverdale Bible and
years ago in the Coverdale Bible and
years ago in the Coverdale Bible and this is the famous passage from Matthew
this is the famous passage from Matthew
this is the famous passage from Matthew 7 that even if you’re not familiar with
7 that even if you’re not familiar with
7 that even if you’re not familiar with the Bible you’ve probably heard it’s
the Bible you’ve probably heard it’s
the Bible you’ve probably heard it’s from a famous passage called the
from a famous passage called the
from a famous passage called the Beatitudes and here Jesus says ask and
Beatitudes and here Jesus says ask and
Beatitudes and here Jesus says ask and it shall be given to you seek and you
it shall be given to you seek and you
it shall be given to you seek and you shall find we’re probably
shall find we’re probably
shall find we’re probably familiar that but in the Coverdale Bible
familiar that but in the Coverdale Bible
familiar that but in the Coverdale Bible it’s printed as you see on the right ax
it’s printed as you see on the right ax
it’s printed as you see on the right ax and it shall be given to you for
and it shall be given to you for
and it shall be given to you for whosoever accepts receiveth which if his
whosoever accepts receiveth which if his
whosoever accepts receiveth which if his son asks Axton bread would offer him a
son asks Axton bread would offer him a
son asks Axton bread would offer him a stone or if he Axton fish would proffer
stone or if he Axton fish would proffer
stone or if he Axton fish would proffer him a serpent and then lastly how much
him a serpent and then lastly how much
him a serpent and then lastly how much more shall your father which is in
more shall your father which is in
more shall your father which is in heaven give good things to those that ax
heaven give good things to those that ax
heaven give good things to those that ax him I mean obviously we don’t interpret
him I mean obviously we don’t interpret
him I mean obviously we don’t interpret this as anything other than to enquire
this as anything other than to enquire
this as anything other than to enquire and this is actually a very late
and this is actually a very late
and this is actually a very late instance of the verb ax in fact the ax
instance of the verb ax in fact the ax
instance of the verb ax in fact the ax version of this verb is more like the
version of this verb is more like the
version of this verb is more like the original which has been around for over
original which has been around for over
original which has been around for over a thousand years so when somebody today
a thousand years so when somebody today
a thousand years so when somebody today says ax they’re not messing the word up
says ax they’re not messing the word up
says ax they’re not messing the word up they’re using a historical form that has
they’re using a historical form that has
they’re using a historical form that has existed for over 1,000 years and for
existed for over 1,000 years and for
existed for over 1,000 years and for many analyses actually seems to predate
many analyses actually seems to predate
many analyses actually seems to predate the version of ask that many of us used
the version of ask that many of us used
the version of ask that many of us used today so again we’re confronted with all
today so again we’re confronted with all
today so again we’re confronted with all these defenses of this that don’t seem
these defenses of this that don’t seem
these defenses of this that don’t seem to hold any water so now the question is
to hold any water so now the question is
to hold any water so now the question is well what are we left to stand on you
well what are we left to stand on you
well what are we left to stand on you know if we really just don’t like double
know if we really just don’t like double
know if we really just don’t like double negation and ax what’s the argument and
negation and ax what’s the argument and
negation and ax what’s the argument and it seems basically that all were left
it seems basically that all were left
it seems basically that all were left with is well they’re wrong because
with is well they’re wrong because
with is well they’re wrong because they’re wrong
they’re wrong
they’re wrong so that’s circular argumentation or
so that’s circular argumentation or
so that’s circular argumentation or they’re just not standard although we
they’re just not standard although we
they’re just not standard although we basically seem to be finding out that
basically seem to be finding out that
basically seem to be finding out that the standard is something that’s not
the standard is something that’s not
the standard is something that’s not neutral it’s something that’s
neutral it’s something that’s
neutral it’s something that’s arbitrarily defined and as many have
arbitrarily defined and as many have
arbitrarily defined and as many have argued it’s something that’s politically
argued it’s something that’s politically
argued it’s something that’s politically defined so these seems to be something
defined so these seems to be something
defined so these seems to be something that we’re basically should just
that we’re basically should just
that we’re basically should just bewildered at do we really want to be
bewildered at do we really want to be
bewildered at do we really want to be left in the position where this is our
left in the position where this is our
left in the position where this is our defense
defense
defense you know circular reasoning and
you know circular reasoning and
you know circular reasoning and arbitrary definitions hopefully not so
arbitrary definitions hopefully not so
arbitrary definitions hopefully not so then we have to ask the question what is
then we have to ask the question what is
then we have to ask the question what is it we really don’t like about double
it we really don’t like about double
it we really don’t like about double negatives and ax in the next question
negatives and ax in the next question
negatives and ax in the next question which is hard for many of us might be is
which is hard for many of us might be is
which is hard for many of us might be is it really an issue with the forms or the
it really an issue with the forms or the
it really an issue with the forms or the people who use them or the people who we
people who use them or the people who we
people who use them or the people who we think use them and this is why it
think use them and this is why it
think use them and this is why it becomes such an important issue to think
becomes such an important issue to think
becomes such an important issue to think about the social impact because now
about the social impact because now
about the social impact because now we’re talking about our the way that we
we’re talking about our the way that we
we’re talking about our the way that we think about language directly relating
think about language directly relating
think about language directly relating to the way that we think about people
to the way that we think about people
to the way that we think about people who speak so what do we go from here
who speak so what do we go from here
who speak so what do we go from here well one takeaway that’s pretty simple
well one takeaway that’s pretty simple
well one takeaway that’s pretty simple is simply ain’t nothing wrong with
is simply ain’t nothing wrong with
is simply ain’t nothing wrong with double negatives and acts
double negatives and acts
double negatives and acts questions so that’s one sort of thing
questions so that’s one sort of thing
questions so that’s one sort of thing that if you believe would have had to
that if you believe would have had to
that if you believe would have had to say so far we could probably agree on
say so far we could probably agree on
say so far we could probably agree on but what about the bigger picture here
but what about the bigger picture here
but what about the bigger picture here well what’s at stake or real-world
well what’s at stake or real-world
well what’s at stake or real-world consequences that derive from implicit
consequences that derive from implicit
consequences that derive from implicit biases that we have based on these
biases that we have based on these
biases that we have based on these beliefs that results in what John ba has
beliefs that results in what John ba has
beliefs that results in what John ba has called linguistic profiling so we find
called linguistic profiling so we find
called linguistic profiling so we find that there’s inequity in our educational
that there’s inequity in our educational
that there’s inequity in our educational system based on these types of beliefs
system based on these types of beliefs
system based on these types of beliefs children that don’t speak what is seen
children that don’t speak what is seen
children that don’t speak what is seen is the standard variety of English have
is the standard variety of English have
is the standard variety of English have in some cases been put in special
in some cases been put in special
in some cases been put in special education programs simply because they
education programs simply because they
education programs simply because they don’t speak though they speak a
don’t speak though they speak a
don’t speak though they speak a different dialect other than what’s
different dialect other than what’s
different dialect other than what’s perceived to be the standard in our
perceived to be the standard in our
perceived to be the standard in our legal system we find that there have
legal system we find that there have
legal system we find that there have been wrongful convictions based on these
been wrongful convictions based on these
been wrongful convictions based on these ideas that what somebody says it’s
ideas that what somebody says it’s
ideas that what somebody says it’s confusing because what it’s they say is
confusing because what it’s they say is
confusing because what it’s they say is actually non-standard John Rickford and
actually non-standard John Rickford and
actually non-standard John Rickford and Cherise King recently released an
Cherise King recently released an
Cherise King recently released an excellent article that won awards in
excellent article that won awards in
excellent article that won awards in language analyzing the language use of
language analyzing the language use of
language analyzing the language use of the star witness in the Trayvon Martin
the star witness in the Trayvon Martin
the star witness in the Trayvon Martin Martin murder trial Rachael genteel and
Martin murder trial Rachael genteel and
Martin murder trial Rachael genteel and a lot of people rejected her testimony
a lot of people rejected her testimony
a lot of people rejected her testimony because they hated the way that she
because they hated the way that she
because they hated the way that she talked and these kind of instances sort
talked and these kind of instances sort
talked and these kind of instances sort of reveal that the way that we think
of reveal that the way that we think
of reveal that the way that we think about language use is really it’s deeply
about language use is really it’s deeply
about language use is really it’s deeply a social issue it results in inequity in
a social issue it results in inequity in
a social issue it results in inequity in our workplaces in an everyday life when
our workplaces in an everyday life when
our workplaces in an everyday life when John bought coined the term linguistic
John bought coined the term linguistic
John bought coined the term linguistic profiling he did it based on an
profiling he did it based on an
profiling he did it based on an extensive study where he would call and
extensive study where he would call and
extensive study where he would call and try and get a house or an apartment and
try and get a house or an apartment and
try and get a house or an apartment and basically he would get an apartment or
basically he would get an apartment or
basically he would get an apartment or not depending on the way that he spoke
not depending on the way that he spoke
not depending on the way that he spoke if he spoke in a way that was much more
if he spoke in a way that was much more
if he spoke in a way that was much more like African American English or Mexican
like African American English or Mexican
like African American English or Mexican English sometimes they would screen the
English sometimes they would screen the
English sometimes they would screen the calls and he wouldn’t even get a call
calls and he wouldn’t even get a call
calls and he wouldn’t even get a call back or he wouldn’t get an apartment but
back or he wouldn’t get an apartment but
back or he wouldn’t get an apartment but if he spoke in a way that was closer to
if he spoke in a way that was closer to
if he spoke in a way that was closer to standard American English he tended to
standard American English he tended to
standard American English he tended to get a apartment with greater greater
get a apartment with greater greater
get a apartment with greater greater frequency so it looks like we actually
frequency so it looks like we actually
frequency so it looks like we actually act in the world in a way that’s based
act in the world in a way that’s based
act in the world in a way that’s based on these that trigger some interesting
on these that trigger some interesting
on these that trigger some interesting eight symmetries so what it means then
eight symmetries so what it means then
eight symmetries so what it means then is that we we basically are targeting
is that we we basically are targeting
is that we we basically are targeting asymmetrically specific varieties of
asymmetrically specific varieties of
asymmetrically specific varieties of language and we engage in practices of
language and we engage in practices of
language and we engage in practices of exclusion stigmatization and
exclusion stigmatization and
exclusion stigmatization and marginalized marginalization what a lot
marginalized marginalization what a lot
marginalized marginalization what a lot of linguists have argued and shown
of linguists have argued and shown
of linguists have argued and shown through systematic research is that
through systematic research is that
through systematic research is that is the fact of our world but we have
is the fact of our world but we have
is the fact of our world but we have absolutely no valid basis for doing so
absolutely no valid basis for doing so
absolutely no valid basis for doing so so the question is why do we actually do
so the question is why do we actually do
so the question is why do we actually do this so why is it that we’d not just
this so why is it that we’d not just
this so why is it that we’d not just allow but also seem to value so kind of
allow but also seem to value so kind of
allow but also seem to value so kind of going back to that original slide we
going back to that original slide we
going back to that original slide we seem to value language based
seem to value language based
seem to value language based discrimination the thing is is that
discrimination the thing is is that
discrimination the thing is is that language use as I mentioned early is
language use as I mentioned early is
language use as I mentioned early is invariably tied to the people that speak
invariably tied to the people that speak
invariably tied to the people that speak and that means our beliefs about
and that means our beliefs about
and that means our beliefs about language use are going to be deeply
language use are going to be deeply
language use are going to be deeply intertwined with the beliefs that we
intertwined with the beliefs that we
intertwined with the beliefs that we have about the people who use them now
have about the people who use them now
have about the people who use them now what a lot of linguistics research has
what a lot of linguistics research has
what a lot of linguistics research has shown what a lot of linguists emphasize
shown what a lot of linguists emphasize
shown what a lot of linguists emphasize is that another outcome of this is that
is that another outcome of this is that
is that another outcome of this is that we’re just missing out on what human
we’re just missing out on what human
we’re just missing out on what human language is can you imagine any
language is can you imagine any
language is can you imagine any scientist who studied a particular
scientist who studied a particular
scientist who studied a particular species and had some arbitrary reason to
species and had some arbitrary reason to
species and had some arbitrary reason to exclude a large portion of the species
exclude a large portion of the species
exclude a large portion of the species that he was investigating he or she was
that he was investigating he or she was
that he was investigating he or she was investigating and came up with this
investigating and came up with this
investigating and came up with this result we ought to all question what was
result we ought to all question what was
result we ought to all question what was actually happening so when we ignore
actually happening so when we ignore
actually happening so when we ignore half of what people say and say that
half of what people say and say that
half of what people say and say that it’s wrong we’re limiting our
it’s wrong we’re limiting our
it’s wrong we’re limiting our understanding about what human language
understanding about what human language
understanding about what human language actually is so all of these things which
actually is so all of these things which
actually is so all of these things which I’ve heard just sin living in the world
I’ve heard just sin living in the world
I’ve heard just sin living in the world around me that we all might have
around me that we all might have
around me that we all might have negative reactions to because we’ve got
negative reactions to because we’ve got
negative reactions to because we’ve got double negation we’ve got double
double negation we’ve got double
double negation we’ve got double comparatives we’ve got double modal’s
comparatives we’ve got double modal’s
comparatives we’ve got double modal’s mida ustah we’ve got things like
mida ustah we’ve got things like
mida ustah we’ve got things like positive anymore which is a very
positive anymore which is a very
positive anymore which is a very Midwestern thing in some other areas as
Midwestern thing in some other areas as
Midwestern thing in some other areas as well all of this actually are instances
well all of this actually are instances
well all of this actually are instances of the richness of expression of human
of the richness of expression of human
of the richness of expression of human language and every one of these can tell
language and every one of these can tell
language and every one of these can tell us something fascinating about it what
us something fascinating about it what
us something fascinating about it what it means to actually speak language so
it means to actually speak language so
it means to actually speak language so we’re missing out about the richness and
we’re missing out about the richness and
we’re missing out about the richness and diversity of human experience when we
diversity of human experience when we
diversity of human experience when we ignore a lot of what language use is
ignore a lot of what language use is
ignore a lot of what language use is actually about and what I’d like to at
actually about and what I’d like to at
actually about and what I’d like to at least propose is that what this sin does
least propose is that what this sin does
least propose is that what this sin does because of the relationship between the
because of the relationship between the
because of the relationship between the way that we think about language and how
way that we think about language and how
way that we think about language and how that causes us to think about other
that causes us to think about other
that causes us to think about other people is that we’re actually
people is that we’re actually
people is that we’re actually counteracting other attempts to value
counteracting other attempts to value
counteracting other attempts to value and appreciate diversity so linguists
and appreciate diversity so linguists
and appreciate diversity so linguists have emphasized over the decades that we
have emphasized over the decades that we
have emphasized over the decades that we find out about what language is by
find out about what language is by
find out about what language is by focusing on what people say not what we
focusing on what people say not what we
focusing on what people say not what we want people to
want people to
want people to say or what we think people should say
say or what we think people should say
say or what we think people should say and linguistic diversity is just a
and linguistic diversity is just a
and linguistic diversity is just a normal and beautiful fact of human life
normal and beautiful fact of human life
normal and beautiful fact of human life and it’s not a problem to be eradicated
and it’s not a problem to be eradicated
and it’s not a problem to be eradicated so we can actually learn to appreciate
so we can actually learn to appreciate
so we can actually learn to appreciate in value linguistic diversity and
in value linguistic diversity and
in value linguistic diversity and hopefully that will help us to
hopefully that will help us to
hopefully that will help us to appreciate in value of other people too
appreciate in value of other people too
appreciate in value of other people too thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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