7.3 Language and media

Language and media are deeply intertwined, shaping how we perceive and use language in society. Media often portrays language stereotypically, reinforcing attitudes about accents, dialects, and multilingualism. This representation can impact public perceptions and language hierarchies.

Media's influence extends to language attitudes, policies, and even language change itself. It can accelerate linguistic innovations, contribute to dialect leveling, and play a role in language revitalization. Digital media has created new linguistic norms and practices, raising ethical considerations in our increasingly connected world.

Language Representation in Media

Stereotypical and Inaccurate Portrayals

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Top images from around the web for Stereotypical and Inaccurate Portrayals

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  Frontiers | Codeswitching: A Bilingual Toolkit for Opportunistic Speech Planning View original

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  Multilingual Semantic Parsing And Code-Switching - ACL Anthology View original

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  Mixed Language and Code-Switching in the Canadian Hansard - ACL Anthology View original

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  Frontiers | Codeswitching: A Bilingual Toolkit for Opportunistic Speech Planning View original

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  Multilingual Semantic Parsing And Code-Switching - ACL Anthology View original

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• Media, including television, film, news, and advertising, often portrays language and linguistic diversity in stereotypical or inaccurate ways, reinforcing language ideologies and attitudes
• Accents and dialects are frequently used in media to convey certain character traits or social roles, such as intelligence, socioeconomic status, or trustworthiness (Southern drawl associated with lack of education, British accent with sophistication)
• Code-switching and multilingualism are sometimes portrayed as a sign of confusion or lack of proficiency, rather than a natural and common linguistic practice (Spanglish in Latinx communities, Singlish in Singapore)

Underrepresentation and Misrepresentation of Minority Languages

• Minority languages and non-standard varieties are often underrepresented or misrepresented in media, leading to a lack of visibility and recognition for these language communities (Indigenous languages in Australia, African American Vernacular English)
• The representation of language in media can influence public perceptions and attitudes towards different language varieties and their speakers, shaping language hierarchies and power dynamics (Standard American English as the norm, other varieties as deviant)

Media's Influence on Language Attitudes

Reinforcing or Challenging Language Ideologies

• Media has the power to reinforce or challenge existing language attitudes and ideologies, which are sets of beliefs and values about language and its users
• The use of certain language varieties or accents in media can contribute to the stigmatization or valorization of these varieties, affecting their social status and prestige (Cockney English in British media, Received Pronunciation as the standard)
• Media can perpetuate language myths and misconceptions, such as the notion of linguistic purism or the superiority of certain language varieties over others (French Academy's efforts to maintain the "purity" of the French language)

Impact on Language Policies and Practices

• The representation of language in media can influence language policies and practices in various domains, such as education, employment, and public services (English-only policies in the United States, promotion of Mandarin Chinese in Singapore)
• Media can also play a role in promoting linguistic diversity and advocating for the rights of minority language communities, raising awareness and fostering inclusive attitudes (Indigenous language revitalization efforts in Canada, promotion of Welsh in the United Kingdom)

Media's Impact on Language Change

Accelerating Linguistic Innovations and Diffusion

• Media can accelerate the spread of linguistic innovations and contribute to the diffusion of new words, expressions, and grammatical structures across different language varieties ("selfie," "LOL," "because" as a preposition)
• The language used in media can set trends and influence the linguistic choices of individuals, particularly in terms of vocabulary, pronunciation, and style (uptalk, vocal fry)
• The global reach of media can facilitate language contact and borrowing, leading to the incorporation of loanwords and the emergence of new linguistic practices, such as code-mixing and translanguaging (Japanese loanwords in English, Konglish in South Korea)

Dialect Leveling and Language Revitalization

• Media can also contribute to the leveling of regional and social dialects, as exposure to different language varieties through media can lead to the adoption of more standardized forms (decline of regional accents in the United Kingdom)
• Media can play a role in the revitalization and maintenance of endangered languages, by providing a platform for their use and increasing their visibility (Māori language in New Zealand media, Basque language in Spain)

Language in Digital Media

New Linguistic Norms and Practices

• Digital media, such as social media platforms, online forums, and instant messaging, have created new spaces for language use and interaction, with their own linguistic norms and practices
• The informal and conversational nature of digital communication has led to the emergence of new linguistic features, such as emoticons, abbreviations, and unconventional spellings (😂, "u" instead of "you," "pwn" instead of "own")
• Digital media has facilitated the development of online communities based on shared linguistic practices, such as fan communities, activist groups, and language learning communities (K-pop fan communities, Black Twitter)

Ethical Considerations and Critical Media Literacy

• The use of language in digital media can blur the boundaries between public and private communication, raising issues of privacy, identity, and authenticity (online harassment, catfishing)
• Digital media has also enabled the spread of hate speech, misinformation, and linguistic discrimination, highlighting the need for critical media literacy and ethical considerations in online communication (fake news, cyberbullying targeting linguistic minorities)
• The algorithmic filtering and personalization of content in digital media can create linguistic echo chambers and reinforce existing language attitudes and biases (YouTube recommendations based on viewing history)

Machine Translation and Cross-Linguistic Communication

• The use of machine translation and natural language processing in digital media has implications for cross-linguistic communication and the representation of linguistic diversity online (Google Translate, chatbots)
• While machine translation can facilitate communication across language barriers, it also raises questions about the accuracy, cultural appropriateness, and potential biases in the translation process (gender biases in machine translation, loss of nuance and context)