They/Them, LatinX, Rigged: The history behind three words

TED Radio Hour

NPR

Social Sciences, Society & Culture, Science, Technology

4.4 • 21.3K Ratings

🗓️ 24 May 2024

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Words are never just words. They carry context and controversy; they can signal identity or sow discord. This week, TED speakers explore the history and politics of our ever-evolving language. Guests include linguists Anne Curzan and John McWhorter, social psychologist Dannagal Young and writer Mark Forsyth.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This message comes from NPR sponsor Stripe.
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0:18.0	This is the Ted Radio Hour.
0:22.0	Each week, groundbreaking TED Talks.
0:25.0	Our job now is to dream big.
0:26.0	Delivered at TED conferences
0:28.0	to bring about the future we want to see
0:30.0	around the world.
0:31.0	To understand who we are. From those talks, we bring you speakers and ideas that will surprise you.
0:38.0	You just don't know what you're going to find.
0:40.0	Challenge you. We truly have to ask to ourselves, like, why is it noteworthy?
0:43.4	And even change you.
0:44.4	I literally feel like I'm a different person.
0:47.0	Yes.
0:48.0	Do you feel that way?
0:49.3	Ideas worth spreading.
0:51.8	From Ted and NPR, I'm Manouche Zamorodi. This week we're telling the stories
0:59.5	behind words that have become controversial, but let's start with some background and Shakespeare.
1:07.0	It's Act 3, Scene 3 of Romeo and Juliet. Listen closely to the Bard's use of pronouns.
1:15.0	Arise, one knocks. Good Romeo hide themselves.
	...

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