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From 'Parasite' to 'Emilia Pérez': How movies shape language, with Andrew Cheng

Feb 27, 2025

Dr. Andrew Cheng, a linguistics professor at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, dives into how films influence language and culture. He discusses the shift towards linguistic realism since 'Parasite' and the growing acceptance of non-English films by the Oscars. Villainous accents in cartoons are critiqued for perpetuating stereotypes, while films like 'Anora' showcase the complexities of heritage language speakers. Cheng also tackles the balance of authenticity and realism in movies like 'Emilia Perez,' highlighting AI's role in shaping vocal performances.

31:28

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Episode guests

Andrew Cheng

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Linguistic realism in film is increasingly important as it enhances cultural representation and reflects authentic language use, especially after the success of 'Parasite'.

The portrayal of various English accents and the ethical implications of using AI highlight the complexities of achieving authenticity in modern filmmaking.

Deep dives

The Concept of Linguistic Realism

Linguistic realism in film refers to the authentic portrayal of language that reflects real-life usage, particularly in dramatic movies based on true events. This trend has gained traction over the past decade, spurred by the critical success of films like 'Parasite,' which won the Best Picture Oscar in 2020. Historically, many films set in non-English speaking countries opted to use English dialogue, undermining the authenticity of the narrative. However, a noticeable shift has occurred, leading to more films embracing non-English dialogues, thereby enhancing cultural and linguistic representation on screen.

Intro

3min

Breaking Language Barriers in Film

13min

Villainous Accents in Cartoons: A Reflection of Stereotypes

2min

Exploring Language and Identity in 'Anora'

2min

Understanding Heritage Language Speakers: Bilingualism and Education

2min

Authenticity vs. Realism in Film

10min

1060. Why do villains always have British accents? Why was "Parasite" a game-changer for non-English films? And how is AI secretly shaping the voices you hear on screen? With the Oscars coming up, Dr. Andrew Cheng talks about how films are evolving to reflect linguistic authenticity — and why it matters. From heritage speakers in "Anora" to made-up languages in "Dune" and "Avatar," we look at the complexities of representing real and fictional languages in film.

Dr. Andrew Cheng teaches Linguistics at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, located in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. His academic research focuses on the sounds of language, the social perceptions of language, and all sorts of linguistic phenomena associated with bilingualism and multilingualism. When he's not geeking out about linguistics, he can be found playing tabletop games, hiking in the jungle, or, of course, watching movies. You can find him on Bluesky and Letterboxd (for film buffs).

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