Discrimination Behind Vocal Fry | Armi Mkrtchyan | TEDxYouth@UWCDilijan | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Discrimination against vocal fry reveals deeper gender and sexuality biases, impacting authenticity and identity.

Key Insights

• 🧔‍♀️ Vocal fry is a linguistic feature criticized for being used by women, queers, and marginalized groups, reflecting deeper biases in society.
• 😯 Language discrimination based on speech patterns perpetuates inequalities and promotes harmful gender stereotypes.
• 😑 Society's discomfort with vocal fry is rooted in systemic sexism and homophobia, impacting how individuals express their authentic selves.
• 🫚 Vocal fry has historical roots in language and communication dynamics, serving as a powerful tool for relationship-building and authenticity.
• 😑 Challenging discrimination against vocal fry is essential in combating larger issues of inequality and promoting acceptance of diverse forms of expression.
• 😒 Criticizing vocal fry overlooks the intentional use of linguistic features by women and queers, undermining their agency in communication dynamics.
• 🫡 Embracing curiosity over judgment towards vocal fry can lead to a more inclusive society that values and respects diverse forms of expression.

Transcript

Transcriber: Trần Thái Hưng (English tutor: 0938147500) Reviewer: İlker ÖZBAŞ He’s very passionate about making a change in different aspects. His speech will also entail decisions about passion. And please sit back, relax while I welcome to the stage Army. So the other day I came across this video on Instagram of a man going to a coffee shop would... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How does discrimination against vocal fry reflect deeper societal biases?

Discrimination against vocal fry stems from gender and sexuality biases, impacting authenticity and identity. The criticism reveals underlying societal norms that marginalize certain groups based on speech patterns.

Q: How does vocal fry play a role in relationship-building and communication?

Vocal fry is viewed as a powerful tool for establishing and strengthening relationships, with linguists noting that women use linguistic features intentionally. Criticizing vocal fry overlooks its importance in communication dynamics.

Q: Why is it crucial to challenge the discrimination against vocal fry?

Discrimination against vocal fry is not just a linguistic issue but is linked to broader issues of discrimination, including racism, sexism, and homophobia. Challenging this bias is essential to promoting equality and acceptance of diverse expression styles.

Q: How can individuals combat discrimination against vocal fry?

By promoting curiosity over judgment towards different speech patterns, individuals can create a more inclusive and accepting environment. Embracing diverse forms of expression can lead to a more harmonious society.

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the issue of discrimination against women and queer individuals based on the way they talk, specifically focusing on the phenomenon known as "vocal fry." The speaker shares personal experiences and highlights the deep-rooted sexist and homophobic nature of this issue. They argue that language bias perpetuates inequality and hinders progress in combating other forms of discrimination. The speaker advocates for acceptance and emphasizes the importance of allowing individuals to express themselves authentically.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the significance of the way people talk?

The way people talk can impact how they are treated and perceived by others. It affects how seriously or not they are taken and can result in discrimination or prejudice.

Q: Why is "vocal fry" singled out as an issue?

"Vocal fry" is a linguistic feature that has been associated with women, particularly college-age American women, and has faced significant backlash and criticism. It is seen as a symbol of femininity and is often used to dismiss and belittle women who speak in this way.

Q: Did the speaker face discrimination based on how they talk?

Yes, the speaker shares their personal experiences of facing discrimination when they used "vocal fry" while in the US. They express their frustration that their way of speaking affected how people treated them and the level of respect they received.

Q: What is the historical context of "vocal fry"?

"Vocal fry" has been observed in various languages, including Native American languages. In English, it gained notoriety in the UK in the 1960s among British men to sound hyper-masculine, and in the US in the 1980s. The negative attention towards "vocal fry" only rose when college-age American women started using it more frequently.

Q: Is there a double standard when it comes to criticizing the Kardashians' way of talking?

The speaker argues that there is a double standard at play. While many reality TV shows have faced criticism for various aspects, the Kardashians have faced significant backlash specifically for their way of talking. The speaker suggests that this stems from societal expectations and biases towards successful women and reinforces gender stereotypes.

Q: Are there claims that "vocal fry" is damaging?

Yes, some argue that "vocal fry" is not only annoying to listen to but also undermines the speaker's message and credibility. They claim that it is difficult for people to take someone seriously and believe their message when they use "vocal fry."

Q: How is language bias connected to discrimination?

Language bias is intertwined with other forms of discrimination, such as racism, sexism, and homophobia. Discrimination based on the way individuals talk perpetuates inequality and reinforces harmful norms. Accepting and allowing people to express themselves authentically is essential in the fight against discrimination.

Q: How can we create a more accepting society?

The speaker suggests that replacing judgment with curiosity can lead to a more accepting society. Instead of criticizing or discriminating against individuals based on the way they talk, we should seek to understand and appreciate their unique expression.

Takeaways

Language bias, specifically discrimination against individuals based on the way they talk, is a significant issue that perpetuates inequality and reinforces harmful stereotypes. "Vocal fry," typically associated with women and queer individuals, has faced intense criticism and scrutiny. Accepting and allowing individuals to express themselves authentically is crucial in creating a more inclusive society. Instead of judging, let us approach others with curiosity and understanding, fostering a sweeter and more harmonious world.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Vocal fry, a linguistic feature used by women and queers, is often criticized, affecting how society views and treats individuals.

• The use of vocal fry is deeply rooted in language history and serves as a tool for relationship-building, not mindless affectation.

• Discrimination based on speech is linked to larger issues of gender stereotypes, promoting inequality and contributing to societal biases.