ABC Radio
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Language and loss
Language and loss
Language and loss
Saturday 6th November 2021
Julie Sedivy shares her journey of losing and rediscovering her native Czech language, exploring emotional impacts and cultural connections.
29 minutes
Inspiring
Informative
Hopeful
Compassionate
Authentic
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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 and Rediscovery: Julie Sedivy's Journey
Episode Overview
- Immigrant children often abandon heritage languages for dominant ones.
- Emotional attachment influences language retention.
- Language loss impacts cultural identity and relationships.
- Traumatic experiences can lead to rejection of native languages.
- Rediscovering lost languages can heal emotional disconnections.
Adding a language to a mind is like adding a child to a household.
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? In this episode, listeners are treated to an exploration of language loss and recovery through the experiences of Julie Sedivy, a linguist and author. Julie shares her journey from losing her native Czech language after immigrating to Canada at a young age, to rediscovering it later in life. The episode delves into the emotional and cultural impact of language loss, highlighting how the languages we speak shape our identities and relationships.
Julie discusses the challenges faced by immigrant children who often abandon their heritage languages in favour of the dominant language of their new country. Her story is intertwined with broader insights into the role of language in cultural preservation and mental well-being, touching on research about language extinction and emotional attachment to one's mother tongue. The episode also examines how traumatic experiences can influence language retention, drawing parallels with indigenous communities who have suffered loss due to colonisation.
Julie's personal anecdotes provide a poignant backdrop to the discussion, offering a unique perspective on the importance of reconnecting with one's roots. This thought-provoking episode is a reminder of the power of language in shaping who we are and how we relate to others. So, what languages have shaped your life? Have you ever felt disconnected from your heritage? Dive into this fascinating conversation and reflect on your own linguistic journey.