Episode 6 - Emotion at Work in Language and learning from a Forensic Linguist

Aug 3, 2017

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For this episode, Phil interviews a friend and colleague Dr. Samuel Larner (Link to bio below) where they delve into the world of language and what it can tell us about individuals and their thoughts and feelings. We start off exploring the language in speech and the notion of 'formulaic language' and in particular that the speed and fluency of speech would be too much of a demand on our brain (cognitive load) to pick what we say one word at a time. Sam takes us into examples from his discipline (forensic linguistics) to talk about how language can be:

- Formulaic

- Distinct to cultures, socioeconomic groups and even down to an individual

- Used for indicating group solidarity and exclusion

- A way to establish the origin of a writer or speaker

- Crucial at the interface of language and law

- Indicative of issues of power in discourse

We also explore the implications for people in Learning or Organisational Development and HR roles too. Towards the end of the podcast, Sam also talks about his passion for his current research into how children disclose sexual assault. He is looking to establish what (if any) language strategies children use to disclose and how others can help them to do so.

This was a truly fascinating conversation and delve into language.

Finally, an important point to note. Successful linguistic analysis needs deep and detailed training/analysis both as a linguist and in its application in forensic settings and so this podcast is intended to provide inspiration and challenge to find out more. Please use the links below to find out more.

Links to articles or topics we discussed:

Forensic linguistics and the Una Bomber

http://www.pbs.org/speak/seatosea/americanvarieties/DARE/profiling/

The REID technique

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reid_technique

Nabokovs Favourite word is Mauve

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nabokovs-Favorite-Word-Mauve-Experiments/dp/1501105388

Wordcrime: Solving Crime through forensic linguistics

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wordcrime-Solving-Through-Forensic-Linguistics/dp/1441193529

Creating Language Crimes

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creating-Language-Crimes-Enforcement-Misuses/dp/0195181662/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501759000&sr=1-1&keywords=creating+language+crimes

The language of confession, interrogation and deception

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SHUY-CONFESSION-INTERROGATION-ANDDECEPTION-Linguistics-x/dp/0761913467/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501759064&sr=1-1&keywords=the+language+of+interrogation+and+confession

References:

Forensic Linguistics

Blatt, B. (2017). Nabokov’s Favorite Word is Mauve. London: Simon & Schuster.

Coulthard, M. (2004). Author identification, idiolect, and linguistic uniqueness. Applied Linguistics, 25(4), 431—447.

Coulthard, M., Johnson, A., & Wright, D., (2016). An Introduction to Forensic Linguistics: Language in evidence (2nd edition). London: Routledge.

Fitzgerald, J. R. (2004). Using a forensic linguistic approach to track the Unabomber. In J. H. Campbell & D. Denivi (eds), Profilers. New York: Prometheus Books. 193—221.

Foster, D. (2001). Author Unknown: On the trail of anonymous. Basingstoke: Macmillan.

Love, H. (2002). Attributing Authorship: An Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Olsson, J. (2009) Wordcrime: Solving crime through forensic linguistics. London: Continuum.

Shuy. R. (2005). Creating Language Crimes: How law enforcement uses (and misuses) language. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Shuy, R. (1998). The Language of Confession, Interrogation and Deception. London: SAGE Publications.

Formulaic Language

Kuiper, K. (1996). Smooth Talkers: The linguistic performance of auctioneers and sportscasters. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Kuiper, K. (2009). Formulaic Genres. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.

Wray, A. (2002). Formulaic Language and the Lexicon. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.