#Language and culture

[linguist-breakaribecca]

Today, in “I’ll take any good news I can find”:

A production of Romeo and Juliet with Deaf actors signing their lines has been referred to as bilingual! Not just “accessible” or “diverse” but also BILINGUAL!

This makes me happy because the general idea of ASL (and other signed languages) is that they’re just a manual version of the spoken language. By that logic, Norwegian is just a higher-latitude version of German. Signed languages are languages of their own! With unique vocabulary, grammar, and dialects!

[thebroccolination]

The Use of “Husband/Wife” in Thai BL Series

A few years ago, I was talking to a queer Thai person about the use of endearments in Thai BL, and they were like, “A lot of interfans get mad about the husband/wife thing—and some queer Thai people don’t like it either—but many of us just think it’s sweet. Married couple! Cute! That’s it.”

So we go on talking about this and that, and then, remembering the prevalence of Win calling Team “baby” in English fics, I asked them what the Thai equivalent of that would be.

Immediately, they were like, “Okay, if you want to talk weird, that’s weird to me. Your lover is your infant? A little baby? That’s romantic? How?”

And I had to laugh, because…actually, yeah. It is weird when you think about it literally. But that’s kind of the point, right? We don’t literally mean “they are a little newly born human to me” when we use “baby” as an endearment. It’s just a, “this person is as precious to me as a baby,” vibe.

And for some of the people who find the “husband/wife” thing cute—queer and otherwise—it’s not like they’re literally thinking of one of the guys as a woman. It’s the marital bond vibe they like.

Some people hate “baby” as an endearment. I’ve spoken to them! They’re real!

Some people hate “husband/wife” too.

But when people decide, “Using this term in a series is a moral wrong and I need to hate and decry every series that uses it,” that’s maaaaybe going too far.

Most series seem to be veering away from using the terms anyway, and that’s fine, but it’s important and helpful to the larger conversation to remember that there’s a whole nuanced cultural and historical context behind terms we see in other countries’ media. Even queer people in Thailand use terms like “husband/wife” in their real lives. So before we assume we have all the information based on our own cultural context, it’s best to ask people from that culture for their perspective. And then continue to stay out of it, because what queer Thai people like or don’t like isn’t affecting anyone but themselves, so it’s not our lane to careen an oil tanker into.

Because another thing that queer Thai person said to me also resonates to this day: “When interfans create issues about Thai culture and fight with each other to protect Thai people from something they made up, we’re just watching them and thinking, ‘What the fuck are you all doing?’ We don’t need you to protect us.”

But Win calling Team “baby” in English fics—that I’ll defend with my life. ♡

[polysprachig]

Both Not Half: How language shapes identity | Jassa Ahluwalia | TEDxChan...

Looking for a good read/listen this holiday break?

I can’t recommend Jassa Ahluwalia’s book Both Not Half: A Radical New Approach to Mixed Heritage Identity enough. I’m on chapter 4 of the audiobook now and plan to purchase the print edition later on. If Ahluwalia’s TED Talk (linked above) tracks with you in any way, it’s definitely worth your consideration. 

[hebrewbyinbal]

Over 90% of people kick off their Hebrew learning solo or with apps.

It makes sense, right?

It's handy, flexible, and you get to call the shots on when and where.

But here’s the catch:

Going it alone can lead to patchy learning.

You might find yourself hopping from one resource to another, trying to piece together a full picture.

This can leave you with more questions than answers, using up your time, effort, and sometimes even cash - without clear direction.

When you do decide to level up by choosing a structured path — like a dedicated program, an app, or a tutor — and you start noticing things like doubts about your ability, lack of progress despite hard work, or dwindling enthusiasm, take that as a big red flag.

These aren’t just little bumps; they’re signs that your learning strategy might not be the right fit.

Let's be clear:

Feeling a bit out of your comfort zone is part of learning a new language. That's normal.

But there’s a huge difference between the natural challenge of picking up new skills and feeling like you’re just not getting anywhere.

Hebrew is a rich, beautiful language, but not all teaching methods make it clear, easy, or motivating as it cna be.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and confused without the right guidance.

But this doesn’t have to be your learning story.

Imagine a learning experience where:

- Your effort is clearly reflected in your progress.

- Doubts about your ability turn into confidence in your skills.

- Initial enthusiasm evolves into a deep, lasting passion.

- Confusion gives way to clarity and understanding.

- Your confidence in Hebrew grows with every lesson.

That’s what learning Hebrew should feel like!

I’m here to offer a different approach, one that gets you thriving in Hebrew.

If you're ready to transform your Hebrew learning experience and see real results, let's take this journey together.

Rediscover your love for Hebrew, and see just how rewarding learning can be when you have the right guide, method, and support.

[goodguydotmp3]

Youchube just recommended this video!!

I'm excited bc its bisan in her element (though I haven't seen the whole thing yet) and I wanted to share hear just in case anyone else was interested in hearing more about Palestinians and seeing Bisan cover something like this!!

There are subtitles in English Arabic and like one other language btw :)

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Subjectivity

Subjectivity is a central concept in philosophy, capturing the essence of individual perspectives, experiences, and consciousness. Unlike objectivity, which seeks to remove personal biases, subjectivity embraces the unique, personal, and often emotional dimensions of human existence. This exploration will delve into the philosophical significance of subjectivity, examining its implications for understanding reality, knowledge, and personal identity.

Understanding Subjectivity

Subjectivity refers to the qualities, experiences, and perspectives that are unique to an individual. It encompasses personal thoughts, feelings, and perceptions that are inherently shaped by one's individual context, emotions, and consciousness. In philosophy, subjectivity is crucial for understanding phenomena that cannot be fully captured by objective measures alone.

Philosophical Perspectives on Subjectivity

Phenomenology:

Phenomenology, founded by Edmund Husserl, emphasizes the study of conscious experience from the first-person perspective. This philosophical approach seeks to describe how objects and events are experienced subjectively, focusing on the intentionality of consciousness—how we direct our awareness toward objects of perception. Key figures like Martin Heidegger and Maurice Merleau-Ponty expanded on this, exploring the existential and embodied aspects of subjectivity.

Existentialism:

Existentialist philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir highlight the centrality of individual experience and personal freedom. Existentialism posits that existence precedes essence, meaning that individuals must create their own meaning and identity through subjective choices and actions. This philosophy underscores the importance of personal authenticity and the subjective nature of human existence.

Postmodernism:

Postmodernist thinkers like Michel Foucault and Jacques Derrida challenge the notion of objective truths and emphasize the role of subjectivity in shaping knowledge and reality. They argue that all knowledge is constructed through language, power structures, and cultural contexts, making it inherently subjective. Postmodernism critiques the idea of a single, objective reality, instead advocating for multiple, diverse perspectives.

Psychoanalysis:

Psychoanalytic theories, particularly those developed by Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, delve into the subjective dimensions of the human psyche. These theories explore how unconscious desires, fears, and experiences shape an individual's subjective reality. Psychoanalysis highlights the complexity of the human mind and the interplay between conscious and unconscious elements in forming subjective experiences.

Key Themes and Debates

Subjectivity vs. Objectivity:

A fundamental debate in philosophy revolves around the tension between subjective and objective perspectives. While objectivity aims to transcend personal biases, subjectivity acknowledges the inevitable influence of individual perspectives on understanding and interpreting the world. This tension is particularly evident in fields like ethics, aesthetics, and epistemology.

The Role of Language and Culture:

Language and culture play a crucial role in shaping subjectivity. Philosophers like Ludwig Wittgenstein and Hans-Georg Gadamer argue that our understanding of the world is mediated through language, which is deeply embedded in cultural contexts. This view suggests that subjectivity is not just a personal phenomenon but is also shaped by social and cultural influences.

Personal Identity:

The concept of subjectivity is closely tied to questions of personal identity. Philosophers like Derek Parfit and Charles Taylor explore how subjective experiences and self-perception contribute to the formation of personal identity. These inquiries examine the continuity of the self over time and the factors that constitute individual identity.

Ethics and Subjectivity:

Subjectivity also has significant implications for ethics. Moral subjectivism, for instance, posits that moral judgments are based on individual feelings and perspectives rather than objective standards. This raises questions about the nature of moral truths and the possibility of ethical consensus.

The philosophy of subjectivity offers a rich exploration of the personal, experiential, and consciousness-driven aspects of human existence. It challenges us to consider the importance of individual perspectives in shaping our understanding of reality, knowledge, and identity. By embracing subjectivity, we gain deeper insights into the complexity of human experience and the diverse ways in which we perceive and interpret the world.

[amaiguri]

happy STS!! I've been thinking about challenges in writing lately so I'm curious - is there anything that's difficult for you to write that you'd want to try tackling in the future? e.g. action scenes, political intrigue, soft/hard magic, etc.?

The thing that I consider myself the worst at is Romance, incidentally. I really struggle at the chase-phase of the relationship if the characters don't have alternative motives. (I also hate this phase IRL and skip it when possible XD) I think I write my most electric Romances when I'm writing two fundamentally broken people who adore each other, even if they're also terrible.

I've never gotten a lot of feedback on my action scenes so they might also suck...

Also, in future edits, I want to make sure I do a better job of displaying the relationships between technology, culture, and power in my future worldbuilding projects because I have a lot of big feelings about this... I also need to do a language-and-power pass to ensure that both the in-world and real-world implications of characters' word choices are as I intended and consistent.

Like, I want the way people talk about different genders to ACTUALLY be equal and I want everyone's language skills to ACTUALLY reflect the language skills they would have... And I want the power this conveys the characters to make sense...

[theenglishnook]

Cultural Exchange and Hybridization

The Influence of Cultural Exchange on Language Cultural exchange and hybridization are fascinating phenomena that lie at the heart of human interaction and communication throughout history. These processes have shaped societies, influenced identities, and left an indelible mark on the languages we speak today. At its core, cultural exchange involves the sharing and blending of ideas, customs,…

[drewgonair]

今日じゃないの日記　1

「できた」の件

僕は外国語指導助手、つまりALTとして日本の小学校で働いていた。まぁ、実はまだそうだけど、プライベートのことやし、詳しくはやめとこう。

ある日、放課後に廊下で2人の1年生に話しかけられた。っていうか、柱でろくに隠くれていない彼らに見かけられた。

「うわ〜、英語の先生や！」

ちっちゃい声なのに、ちゃんと聞こえた。シャイで恥ずかしかったやろう。1年生だもん。僕に興味持ちそうなきっかけで、声の源を探してすぐに見つけた。好奇心が満々と光っている目に向けて、優しい笑顔で丁寧に手を振った。英語での挨拶もするところだった。いつもの習慣や。小学校1年生は外国語授業がまだ少ないけど、例外は絶対なし。僕が英語の先生というものだから、英語で挨拶することに決まっているんや。

「Hello!」

ちっちゃい声をもっかい聞こえた。勇気がある少年が一人に柱の影から出て、僕のセリフを完全に盗んだ。

「Hello!」

僕がちょっと驚いたままにセリフを取り戻した。少年がにっこり笑った。「そんなに恥ずかしくないかも…英語練習のチャンスや！」 僕は思った。最近1年生の授業はなかったから、どこまで知っているかよく知らないにしても、「How are you?」 に会話を進めようとした。

…けど、まだ遅い。

「See you!」

と、ちっちゃい声を持っている少年が恥ずかしさに負けたように、柱の影に戻って、きちんと隠った。喋りたくない英語学習者が英会話をさせられることが残酷だと思っているし、僕は追わなかった。「ちょっと勿体ないけど、しょうがないな…」と、すこしがっかりしていた僕が職員室に戻ろうとした。数歩取ったら、最後にもう一度そのちっちゃい声が聞こえた。っていうか、今回こそ大きい声がはっきり聞こえた。

「始めての英語会話できたー！」

と歓声して、2人の少年がくすくす笑いながら、運動場へノリノリに走り出した。

勿体ないと思うなんて、恥ずかしい限りやな。

--------------

Hello! I'm Drew, and as the story suggests, I live and work in Japan. I'm trying to pass the N1, and I figured a little writing practice couldn't hurt! Sorry if the grammar or phrasing is kind of a mess, I'm much better at reading Japanese than speaking or writing. Feel free to give some (gentle!) tips for improvement.

I chose the title 「今日じゃないの日記」 for this series because, ideally, it will be a bunch of random stories from my time in Japan that happened a while before today, but are meant to give the feeling of everyday life here as any 日記 would. No idea if it's a grammatically correct title, but even if it isn't, I'm sure that just adds to its charm as the blog of a Japanese L2 writer. Hopefully the stories will be interesting either way!

I like this story in particular because as an ALT you don't always necessarily feel useful or like your time is well spent, and getting deep into a second language you don't always feel like you're making progress. But I found it to be a very encouraging moment for both of these endeavors. It was something small, but it obviously meant a lot to him. If that kid can be satisfied by succeeding in one four-word conversation, then I should be happy to be able to write an entire account of it using whatever Japanese I can muster. I encourage anyone reading this to feel the same about their own studies!

I know I called it a series, but that's purely optimism. This honestly might end up being a one-off, but if not, I'll write up another one when my mood, time, and ADHD allow for it. Thanks!

(P.S. I'm also very new to tumblr and wrote this on mobile, so sorry if the formatting or anything is weird! I just kind of took a stab at it.)

[anidala-for-ever]

Wow. This is so amazing and so terrifying a thought. I can almost see it happening too, with the 3D printers and what not.

It could also happen with writing. People will use phrases like "nothing to write home about" to mean something insignificant and people who still know how to write would go "Did you know that people once used little tubes full of ink that ended at a sharp point to put letters to paper? Paper was made from trees , but others in the past used papyrus or parchment and other mediums wich was also made of plants but with different procedures." I thought about this in some form ever since I saw my 7 year old cousin write whole sentences in his tablet quickly and struggle using his pencil

I've had a hard time articulating to people just how fundamental spinning used to be in people's lives, and how eerie it is that it's vanished so entirely. It occurred to me today that it's a bit like if in the future all food was made by machine, and people forgot what farming and cooking were. Not just that they forgot how to do it; they had never heard of it.

When they use phrases like "spinning yarns" for telling stories or "heckling a performer" without understanding where they come from, I imagine a scene in the future where someone uses the phrase "stir the pot" to mean "cause a disagreement" and I say, did you know a pot used to be a container for heating food, and stirring was a way of combining different components of food together? "Wow, you're full of weird facts! How do you even know that?"

When I say I spin and people say "What, like you do exercise bikes? Is that a kind of dancing? What's drafting? What's a hackle?" it's like if I started talking about my cooking hobby and my friend asked "What's salt? Also, what's cooking?" Well, you see, there are a lot of stages to food preparation, starting with planting crops, and cooking is one of the later stages. Salt is a chemical used in cooking which mostly alters the flavor of the food but can also be used for other things, like drawing out moisture...

"Wow, that sounds so complicated. You must have done a lot of research. You're so good at cooking!" I'm really not. In the past, children started learning about cooking as early as age five ("Isn't that child labor?"), and many people cooked every day their whole lives ("Man, people worked so hard back then."). And that's just an average person, not to mention people called "chefs" who did it professionally. I go to the historic preservation center to use their stove once or twice a week, and I started learning a couple years ago. So what I know is less sophisticated than what some children could do back in the day.

"Can you make me a snickers bar?" No, that would be pretty hard. I just make sandwiches mostly. Sometimes I do scrambled eggs. "Oh, I would've thought a snickers bar would be way more basic than eggs. They seem so simple!"

Haven't you ever wondered where food comes from? I ask them. When you were a kid, did you ever pick apart the different colored bits in your food and wonder what it was made of? "No, I never really thought about it." Did you know rice balls are called that because they're made from part of a plant called rice? "Oh haha, that's so weird. I thought 'rice' was just an adjective for anything that was soft and white."

People always ask me why I took up spinning. Isn't it weird that there are things we take so much for granted that we don't even notice when they're gone? Isn't it strange that something which has been part of humanity all across the planet since the Neanderthals is being forgotten in our generation? Isn't it funny that when knowledge dies, it leaves behind a ghost, just like a person? Don't you want to commune with it?

[linguist-breakaribecca]

“Socrates said, ‘The misuse of language induces evil in the soul.’ He wasn't talking about grammar.

To misuse language is to use it the way politicians and advertisers do, for profit, without taking responsibility for what the words mean.

Language used as a means to get power or make money goes wrong: it lies. Language used as an end in itself, to sing a poem or tell a story, goes right, goes towards the truth.

A writer is a person who cares what words mean, what they say, how they say it. Writers know words are their way towards truth and freedom, and so they use them with care, with thought, with fear, with delight. By using words well they strengthen their souls.

Story-tellers and poets spend their lives learning that skill and art of using words well. And their words make the souls of their readers stronger, brighter, deeper.”

- Ursula K. Le Guin, A Few Words to a Young Writer

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

the fact that languages change over time is so funny to me. we have thousands of language that work perfectly well, but no that's not good enough, we need to keep fiddling with them. no not making them better, just making them different. why? well, humans enjoy making up words and phrases. for fun. enrichment activity

[linguist-breakaribecca]

Sometimes, you’re glued to your phone reading fanfics because you’re in the US and need to overstimulate your brain so it doesn’t have a spare second to slip back into despair.

And sometimes, while you’re doing so, you find a post that does apply to the (nominal at best) theme of your blog!

I am guilty of using these varying fonts in my posts here and elsewhere, and am extremely glad this author pointed out the issues the fonts cause and included a demonstration. If you haven’t highlighted the special fonts and asked your phone or tablet to “speak” them, please take a second to do that now.

Imagine you’re enjoying the fic you’re listening to, but the author used those non-standard fonts to make the most important or dramatic bits more visually interesting. But that means you don’t get the chance to know the vital information — your screen reader just skips to the next bit of standard text.

It’s always worth it to make your work more accessible if you find a way you can.

OPEN LETTER TO FANFICTION WRITERS ON ACCESSIBILITY; PLEASE READ.

first of all, thank you for spending your time, seldom acknowledged and definitely deserving of a compensation you are not receiving, to entertain us. i’m speaking on behalf of more than just blind readers, but everyone. you’re sick as hell.

i’ve summoned you to provide some information you may not already know. i know a lot of you like fonts. especially those who cross post their work on wattpad. i admire any and all acts of aestheticism to a degree, and can understand the desire to use them. (blind folk, sorry y’all. momma’s making a point.) 𝔰𝔱𝔲𝔣𝔣 𝔩𝔦𝔨𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔰, it’s cute. 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐟𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 is a little cuter to me, if i had to choose. or maybe 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈?

now, sighted folk: if you’re on mobile, i implore you to participate in a little exercise for me. select this text and scroll through all the copy/paste/define/‘search the web’ options until you get to the speak portion. if you need to change a setting for your phone to do so, would you mind? i’d really appreciate it.

please make your phone read aloud part of my post, and be sure to include any bits with those super cute fonts. 𝕚’𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕒𝕔𝕜 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕖𝕟𝕕 𝕠𝕗 𝕞𝕪 𝕡𝕝𝕖𝕒, 𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖. 𝕚 𝕙𝕠𝕡𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕚𝕤 𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕤𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕔𝕠𝕣𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕝𝕪, 𝕚 𝕕𝕠𝕟’𝕥 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕠 𝕓𝕖 𝕤𝕢𝕦𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕓𝕪 𝕥𝕪𝕡𝕠𝕤 𝕚 𝕔𝕒𝕟’𝕥 𝕤𝕖𝕖.

whether you participated and discovered it for yourself or you thought this was a crock of shit you’d rather not sniff, i’ll tell you! screen readers cannot dictate words using those fonts. at least, on a majority of devices. not mine, or any of my mutuals elsewhere.

you do not have to change your behavior on my behalf, but please be aware that fonts limit access to your work.

blind readers do exist, i exist, and i am bound by the same feelings of dogged longing that make other sad horny bitches read angsty, smutty, father-wounded nonsense.

thanks for making it this far. i really hope my sincerity is being conveyed, reading makes me so happy and i’m not the only person on this app who relies on accessibility settings more often than not. do with this information what you will, and have the day you deserve!

[insightfultake]

How Language Behaves: A Journey Through Communication, Thought, and Identity

Language is one of humanity’s greatest achievements. From the earliest cave paintings to the complex digital communications of today, language is both the medium and the mirror through which we understand the world and express our thoughts, emotions, and ideas. Yet, language is not a static entity. It evolves, adapts, and behaves in ways that reflect the shifting currents of culture, society, and individual consciousness. This article explores how language behaves—its structure, its impact on thought, and its role in shaping both identity and society...read more

[theenglishnook]

Singlish blends British English with Asian languages, featuring expressive vocabulary, simplified grammar, and vibrant local identity. It’s a lively, multicultural evolution of English in Singapore.