Exploring language loss and its impact on personal identity and behavior, this podcast delves into the multilingual mind. It discusses the consequences of language loss in immigrants and indigenous communities, as well as the influence of language on identity and behavior. The podcast also explores research on language and bilingual experiences and shares personal experiences of emotional connection through language.
The podcast explores the emotional and cultural significance of losing one's native language and highlights the impact on immigrant children and indigenous communities.
Language can shape our sense of self and behavior, with bilingual individuals potentially expressing different aspects of their personality and emotions depending on the language they are using.
Deep dives
Loss of Language and Cultural Identity
The podcast discusses the common experience of immigrant children rejecting their native language in favor of the dominant language in their adopted country. The speaker, Julie Sedovin, shares her personal story of losing her proficiency in Czech when she immigrated to Canada and how she later realized the emotional and cultural significance of that loss. She also highlights the impact of language loss on indigenous communities and the trauma associated with losing ancestral languages.
Language as a Reflection of Identity
The podcast explores how language can shape our sense of self and influence our behavior. Studies suggest that bilingual individuals may express different aspects of their personality and emotions depending on the language they are using. For example, individuals may find it easier to express taboo or emotionally charged words in their second language. The research also indicates that language and culture are intertwined, with language serving as a means to transmit values, traditions, and cultural identity.
Language Loss and Reconnection
The podcast touches upon the possibility of relearning and reclaiming lost languages. The speaker describes her own experience of reconnecting with her Czech language during an extended visit to the Czech Republic. She highlights the transformative power of this reconnection, allowing her to deepen her understanding of her father's heritage and have conversations with her relatives in their native language. However, she acknowledges the ongoing challenge of maintaining fluency in a language when there are limited opportunities for practice.