DeepSummary
The episode explores the history and politics behind three words - they/them, Latinx, and rigged. Linguists Anne Curzan and John McWhorter discuss the long history of using they/them as a singular pronoun and the recent debate around the term Latinx. Social psychologist Dannagal Young explains how words like 'rigged' can become coded language and weaponized. The guests provide insights into how language evolves, the power of words to shape reality, and the controversies surrounding certain terms.
Writer Mark Forsyth delves into the origins of the title 'President of the United States,' revealing how it was initially considered a humble term but eventually gained grandeur. The episode examines how words can take on new meanings over time and how different groups attempt to control language to further their agendas.
Overall, the guests argue that language is constantly evolving, and attempts to prescribe changes in language before societal attitudes have shifted are often ineffective. They highlight the importance of understanding the historical and cultural contexts behind controversial terms and being open to nuanced discussions.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Language is constantly evolving, and attempts to prescribe changes in language before societal attitudes have shifted are often ineffective.
- Words can take on new meanings over time, and different groups attempt to control language to further their agendas.
- The use of 'they/them' as a singular pronoun has a long history, despite ongoing debates around its usage.
- The term 'Latinx' has gained popularity among some groups as a gender-neutral alternative to 'Latino/Latina,' but its widespread adoption is still limited.
- Words like 'rigged' can become coded language and weaponized to further specific narratives and worldviews.
- Understanding the historical and cultural contexts behind controversial terms is crucial for nuanced discussions about language.
- Language is a powerful tool that can be used to hurt or heal, include or exclude, and shape identities and societal narratives.
- People are often motivated more by a desire for comprehension, control, and community than by pure accuracy or truth, which can contribute to the spread of misinformation.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I sometimes get into arguments with people where they will say to me, but it can't be singular. And I will say, but it is. And they say, but it can't be. And I realize this is actually not an interesting argument, and it's not interesting in part because the data are totally clear.“ by Anne Curzan
- “We don't actually want the truth on. What we are driven by as human beings is not so much accuracy. We are driven by motivations related to what I have dubbed the three cs, and those are comprehension, control and community.“ by Dannagal Young
Entities
Company
Concept
Product
Person
Book
Podcast
Episode Information
TED Radio Hour
NPR
5/24/24
TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen to regular episodes (like this one!) without sponsors. Sign-up at: plus.npr.org/ted
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy