ABC Radio
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Language and loss
Language and loss
Language and loss
Saturday 24th September 2022
Explore multilingual minds and emotional journeys tied to losing native languages with Julie Sedevy's poignant story.
30 minutes
Inspiring
Informative
Healing
Transformative
Compassionate
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ABC Radio
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Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Mindful Recovery
Sexual Stigmas & Myths
Mindfulness & Technology in Health
Parenting & Children
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Get the buttons here!Language Loss: A Journey Through Memory and Identity
Episode Overview
- Language loss can deeply affect personal identity and cultural ties.
- Immigrant children often lose their native language when adopting a dominant language.
- Trauma can accelerate the erosion of one's first language.
- Indigenous languages face extinction, impacting cultural heritage.
- Reclaiming lost languages can be transformative and healing.
"Adding a language to a mind is like adding a child to a household."
Ever wondered what it takes to juggle multiple languages in your mind? In this episode of 'All In The Mind', you'll explore the fascinating world of multilingual minds and the emotional journey tied to losing one's native language. Julie Sedevy, a linguist and author, shares her poignant personal story of growing up in Canada after fleeing Czechoslovakia.
She recounts how she gradually lost her Czech language as English took centre stage, especially after her father's death, which severed her linguistic connection. Julie draws an analogy between adding a language to the mind and adding a child to a household—both require careful attention to maintain harmony. The episode delves into the emotional and cultural implications of language loss, highlighting studies that show how trauma can accelerate language erosion.
Julie's story is a testament to the power of language in shaping identity and cultural ties, revealing how reclaiming lost languages can be both transformative and healing. The episode also touches on the broader issue of indigenous language extinction, emphasising the devastating impact of losing cultural heritage. With a blend of personal anecdotes and broader insights, this episode invites you to reflect on your own linguistic experiences. Do you have a language you've neglected over time?
What might it mean for your identity and connections? Tune in to this thought-provoking episode for an enlightening journey through language and loss.