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Why language is humanity's greatest invention | David Peterson
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Why language is humanity's greatest invention | David Peterson

Spoons to Pianos

The speaker introduces various objects and emphasizes the significance of language in their creation, highlighting the essential role of language in human civilization.

Objects Created with Language

  • Language is crucial for invention; without it, creations like pianos or buildings wouldn't exist.
  • Linguists study how languages differ from animal communication systems and play a vital role in understanding language emergence.

Misunderstandings about Language

  • Formal linguistics reveals that all languages are equally expressive, debunking misconceptions held by non-experts.
  • Individuals who speak a language often believe they understand its function as well as linguists, leading to misunderstandings about linguistic expertise.

Challenges in Representations

  • Popular media sometimes misrepresents the role of linguists, as seen in Neil deGrasse Tyson's critique of the film "Arrival."
  • Misunderstandings about language and linguistics contribute to misconceptions about their importance and relevance.

Language Learning Misconceptions

The speaker addresses common misconceptions surrounding foreign language learning and challenges the notion that language is merely a tool.

Critique on Foreign Language Learning

  • Arguments against learning foreign languages include beliefs that Americans don't read classics in translation and that studying languages is a waste of time.
  • Geographical proximity to diverse languages is used to question the necessity of learning additional languages.

Conceptual Metaphor: Language as a Tool

  • The metaphor of language as a tool oversimplifies its complexity and richness, undermining its true value.

What Language Creation Can Teach Us About Being Human

In this section, the speaker discusses the complexity of human thought and language, emphasizing how language is crucial for understanding our internal experiences.

The Complexity of Human Thought

  • The speaker highlights that language is a limited representation of the intricate processes happening in our minds while we speak.
  • Drawing an analogy to eating a cake, he explains how language is essential for exploring human thoughts and emotions.

Importance of Language Diversity

  • Exploring the nature of human thought and emotion requires examining various languages to gain a comprehensive understanding.
  • Losing languages diminishes our ability to capture the full spectrum of human experience, emphasizing the significance of linguistic diversity.

The Intersection of Literature and Linguistics

This section delves into the relationship between literature, linguistics, and the depth of human expression through fictional characters.

Literature as Artistic Expression

  • Literature allows authors to create complex characters with depth and emotion, showcasing unique aspects of humanity.
  • Despite literature's inherent interest, there is less focus on what constructed languages reveal about human spirit as an artistic pursuit.

Challenges in Perceiving Language Creation

Here, the speaker addresses misconceptions surrounding language creation and its value in understanding communication and artistry.

Misconceptions in Linguistic Study

  • The speaker reflects on criticism from linguists like George Lakoff regarding the perceived value of language creation as a field.

Learning Different Languages

In this section, the speaker discusses the nuances of learning different languages and the importance of understanding language diversity.

Understanding Language Variations

  • English may lack equivalents for certain linguistic features found in other languages.
  • Children learn that languages vary in aspects like vowel duration, inflections on nouns, and word order significance.
  • Learning multiple languages fosters respect for language diversity and capital "L" Language.

Language Preservation

This part delves into the reasons behind language extinction and the significance of valuing diverse languages within communities.

Causes of Language Extinction

  • Language extinction often occurs when a community does not value or use a particular language.
Channel: TED
Video description

Visit http://TED.com to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized Talk recommendations and more. Civilization rests upon the existence of language, says language creator David Peterson. In a talk that's equal parts passionate and hilarious, he shows how studying, preserving and inventing new languages helps us understand our collective humanity -- and gives a quick lesson on High Valyrian, one of two languages he created for "Game of Thrones" (along with Dothraki). "Language is not merely a tool," he says. "It is our legacy, it's our way of conveying what it means to be human." Get TED Talks recommended just for you! Learn more at http://TED.com/signup. The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. You're welcome to link to or embed these videos, forward them to others and share these ideas with people you know. For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), submit a Media Request here: http://media-requests.TED.com Follow TED on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TEDTalks Like TED on Facebook: http://facebook.com/TED Subscribe to our channel: http://youtube.com/TED