in this episode, hosts cecile emeke and hubert devonish explore the intricate relationship between language, identity, and history, particularly in the context of jamaica and the broader caribbean. they discuss the importance of vernacular languages, the impact of colonialism on language development, and the role of creole languages in shaping cultural identity. the conversation delves into the historical connections between different regions, the influence of the atlantic system, and the contributions of maroons to language transmission. ultimately, the episode emphasizes the interconnectedness of language, culture, and nature, and the need for a deeper understanding of these dynamics in contemporary society.00:00 introduction to language and identity03:00 the politics of language in jamaica05:47 the atlantic system and language development09:00 exploring creole languages12:00 the influence of suriname on creole languages14:56 historical connections and language evolution17:45 the role of maroons in language transmission20:58 understanding the economic systems behind language23:55 the interconnectedness of caribbean and african languages26:52 language as a reflection of cultural identity29:49 the impact of colonialism on language32:43 nature and language: a symbiotic relationship35:37 the future of language and identity38:58 conclusion and reflections on languagewebsite: https://www.cecileemeke.com/substack: https://www.iamiam.global/instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cecileemeke/twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cecileemeke/ tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cecileemeke/

this conversation explores the intersection of language, economics, and technology, emphasizing the role of vernacular languages in society. it discusses how nudge economics can influence policy, the impact of technology on language use, and the potential for monetizing vernacular languages in the digital age. the conversation also highlights the importance of cultural context in language education and the challenges of ai in language translation. ultimately, it advocates for proactive engagement with technology to enhance language preservation and promote social change.00:00 weather and elections: a global perspective02:57 nudge economics: influencing change through policy05:48 language attitudes: the role of education in jamaica09:06 the impact of technology on language use11:56 monetizing language: the new economic value of jamaican creole14:57 the evolution of communication: from limited to expansive17:55 ai and language: the challenges of translation20:57 creating quality data for jamaican language tools24:01 the future of jamaican language: officialization and education35:06 the connection between language and culture37:23 creating educational materials for local contexts38:45 utilizing ai in education41:39 the evolution of language and writing46:30 the magic of language and communication52:32 the flexibility of human language58:04 the impact of writing on religious texts01:09:02 engaging with technology for social changewebsite: https://www.cecileemeke.com/substack: https://www.iamiam.global/instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cecileemeke/twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cecileemeke/ tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cecileemeke/

in this episode, hubert devonish introduces the idea of language planning, comparing it to urban planning in the way both shape how communities live and interact. together, he and cecile emeke explore how language informs personal and collective identity, with a focus on black british english and jamaican patois. they discuss generational shifts, the political stakes of language in jamaica, and the role of education in addressing these issues. the conversation highlights the push for a standardized writing system and technical vocabulary, framing language as not only a tool of communication but also a matter of justice, rights, and cultural representation. woven throughout are personal reflections and cultural insights that ground the dialogue in lived experience.

00:00 Navigating Language and Identity

03:01 Reflections on Age and Experience

05:58 Cultural Connections and Cricket

08:54 Political Dynamics and Language in Jamaica

12:00 Language Planning and Its Implications

14:51 The Case for Jamaican as an Official Language

17:52 Understanding Language Structure and Writing Systems

33:03 The Complexity of Vowel Systems

36:11 Establishing a Standard Writing System

38:19 Variability in Jamaican Grammar

41:31 The Challenge of Vocabulary Development

49:53 Corpus Planning and Language Efficiency

56:46 The Importance of Technical Terminology

01:01:18 Language Planning in the Modern Context

website: https://www.cecileemeke.com/

substack: https://www.iamiam.global/

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cecileemeke/

twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cecileemeke/

tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cecileemeke/