TED Talks Daily

The history of human emotions | Tiffany Watt Smith

Aug 16, 2019

In this engaging discussion, cultural historian Tiffany Watt Smith delves into the fascinating evolution of human emotions and their linguistic expressions. She reveals how nostalgia was once deemed an illness but has transformed into a more benign concept. Tiffany introduces unique cultural terms like 'awumbuk' and 'amai' that capture specific feelings, showcasing how language shapes our emotional experiences. The exploration highlights the interplay between societal values and our understanding of emotions, reflecting on their fluidity over time.

14:29

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Episode guests

Tiffany Watt Smith

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Episode notes

Intro

4min

Unpacking the Complexity of Human Emotions

3min

The Complexity of Human Emotions

8min

Cultural Influences on Emotional Expression

4min

Exploring the Evolution of Human Emotions

2min

The words we use to describe our emotions affect how we feel, says historian Tiffany Watt Smith, and they've often changed (sometimes very dramatically) in response to new cultural expectations and ideas. Take nostalgia, for instance: first defined in 1688 as an illness and considered deadly, today it's seen as a much less serious affliction. In this fascinating talk about the history of emotions, learn more about how the language we use to describe how we feel continues to evolve -- and pick up some new words used in different cultures to capture those fleeting feelings in words.

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