Analysis Of Jamila Lyiscott's Ted Talk

Watching Jamila Lyiscott’s Ted Talk made me ponder why articulate speech is considered articulate. To me, the proper way of speaking English is nonexistent. Society imposes proper English to appear articulate. Jamila Lyiscott’s point of speaking English in three opposing techniques demonstrates how everyone conveys English in a different way. Jamila speaks the way she would at home, school, and work. All languages are equal, especially speaking trilingually. Out of three English approaches, not one nor two are correct, but all three versions are proper manners of speaking. In my opinion, not many people in today’s society would hire someone for a job if they spoke the way Jamila did with her friends. This is simply due to how she speaks slang

and not genuine English. An example of my point is, since my parents are from India and if I traveled there and spoke English, it does not mean I speak incorrectly. Southern accents are common for people in the South and if I went with my “normal” accent, my English would be considered wrong. The way people talk should not affect one’s future. People should not judge her because of the way she talks nor the way I talk. Additionally, the way we all speak is correct. Languages vary based on the situations. Racial disparities make “linguistic celebraration” listeners question what makes our formal articulation normal versus slang articulation of Africans subordinate in our culture. I wonder about who controls articulation and how broken speech equals broken culture. Language is not ones personality, but rather history. Society views proper articulation as common, resulting in a power struggle of language. The way black people talk are supposed to be the way white people talk and is considered respectful if spoken in this manner. Vise versa this is considered disrespectful. It is not a two way street.