📝📜 Daily Journal Prompt #52

Subject: The importance of good communication.

Hey Friends,

Welcome Back 👋

I recently finished listening to a really interesting episode of the Modern Wisdom podcast, and I can't help but feel excited to share this linguistic adventure with you. The guest was none other than Valerie Fridland, a sociolinguist, Professor of Linguistics at the University of Nevada, a researcher, and an author. The breadth of her knowledge and the depth of her insights into the world of words were truly remarkable.

Something I never considered that Valerie mentioned was that on average, we say around 5,000 words every day, but how often do we stop to ponder why we communicate the way we do, or where the words we're using originate from? This is where her expertise in the field of sociolinguistics steps in, diving deep into the history of our speech patterns and the genesis of our words, helping us discover new and better ways to communicate.

In this episode, they discussed why languages evolved to be so complex, strategies to break the habit of overusing filler words like 'like', 'um', and 'uh', the impact of social media on our speech, the driving force of linguistic innovation, and the surprising origins of the word 'hello'. I even learned why I sometimes stumble over pronouncing my T's! There was so much to absorb and reflect on.

Inspired by this episode, here's your journal prompt for today:

How has your personal language evolved over time, and what influences have shaped it? Reflect on the words, phrases, or speech patterns you often use. Where did they come from? Can you trace them back to certain people, places, experiences, or periods in your life? How does your language impact your identity and how others perceive you?

This prompt is designed to encourage self-reflection and understanding, and hopefully, it will foster a new appreciation for the power of language in our lives. Feel free to expand on this prompt to include your language aspirations. I at one point in my life started learning swedish and would still love yo learn the language! So please, get creative with this one. As we continue to navigate through our complex, interconnected world, being aware of our communication patterns and their origins can help us develop empathy and understanding towards others, while also allowing us to communicate more effectively.

Please give this podcast a listen and check out Valeries book, "Like Literally Dude! Arguing for the good in bad english." 👇

Thank you for joining me on this linguistic journey, and happy journaling! Please subscribe to the newsletter if you have not already and share with your friends and family!

Until our next rendezvous.

Your Friend, Austin ❤✌

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