🌀💙💤

[qqsssss]

People of different generations have different understandings of everyday objects.

In the video, a young woman explains what an old-fashioned landline telephone is, much to the surprise of a man who isn't particularly old himself. Technology is advancing so rapidly that many early devices have become obsolete. Even landline telephones, which were common just ten years ago, now require explanation online.

This short video resonated with many people because it captures a common cultural phenomenon: technology is advancing so quickly that things that were once commonplace quickly become unfamiliar. The younger generation grew up with smartphones, touchscreens, and wireless communication, so a telephone that can only be used at home seems almost like an antique from the past. Meanwhile, older viewers can instantly recognize the landline phone and may feel nostalgic, or even feel "old," upon seeing it. These short, vertical videos tap into our shared experiences and prompt us to reflect on how much our habits and understanding of things have changed over time.

[qqsssss]

The Power of Words

Language is more than just a tool for conveying information; it is a form of action. Speech act theory suggests that when we speak, we often do more than simply transmit words. According to speech act theory, every utterance can be analyzed from three perspectives. First, the locutionary act refers to the act of speaking itself, that is, the words and their basic meaning. Second, the illocutionary act reflects the speaker's intention, such as making a request, a promise, or an apology. Finally, the perlocutionary act refers to the effect the utterance has on the listener, such as persuading, encouraging, or prompting someone to take action.

For example, if someone says, "Can you open the window?", the locutionary act is the utterance itself. The illocutionary act is the speaker making a request, and the perlocutionary act is whether the listener actually opens the window. This example demonstrates that language is not passive; it plays an active role in the social world. Understanding speech acts is crucial because it helps us understand how communication works in everyday life, from simple requests to complex negotiations, and reveals that speaking is an active form of social interaction.

[qqsssss]

Internet slang.

On social media, in text messages, or in chats, people write in ways that are drastically different from how they write in textbooks. People use capitalization, punctuation, and emojis in new ways to express emotions, make jokes, or emphasize points. For example, all caps might indicate shouting, while lowercase letters can convey a calm or casual tone.

Online communities, such as groups on TikTok or Discord, have their own unique ways of writing. These styles change rapidly, especially driven by young people. Different platforms, such as Twitter or Zoom, also influence how people communicate due to their rules and features. For example, video calls can be tiring because they are almost like real conversations, but not quite the same, which makes our brains work harder.

Overall, internet language is creative and flexible. It helps people share ideas, emotions, and connect with others, but it also presents new challenges and is constantly evolving.

[qqsssss]

Language, Race, and Ethnicity

Race is often considered a biological fact, but most anthropologists view it as a socially constructed concept. Humans are not divided into distinct biological races. However, because society believes in the existence of race and acts accordingly, race still has real-world consequences. Language is one of the primary ways in which race manifests itself in everyday life.

In the United States, a person's way of speaking is often linked to their racial identity. Even when communication is clear and effective, accents and dialects are judged as "good" or "bad." For example, African American Vernacular English is often considered non-standard English, but linguists have demonstrated that it follows a consistent set of rules. This negative evaluation stems from social prejudice, not from the language itself.

This demonstrates that language is intimately connected to power. People are often judged based on how they sound rather than what they say. Movements like Black Lives Matter reveal how these everyday judgments become part of a larger system of inequality. Language itself does not create race, but it helps to maintain racial boundaries within society.

[qqsssss]

Language Can Change How You See the World

This video raises a very simple but interesting question: Does the language you use change the way you think? Many people believe that language is merely a tool. They think we perceive the world first and then use language to describe it. This view may not be entirely accurate, as different languages ​​emphasize different things, which gradually influences how people pay attention to the world around them.

The video gives an example about direction. English speakers often use words like "left" and "right." But in some languages, people always use directional words like "north," "south," "east," and "west." This means they must constantly know where they are. Even in a room, they know which direction is north. Because their language requires them to do so, their brains are accustomed to this way of thinking.

Language doesn't control our way of thinking, but it can guide our attention. It helps determine what we notice first and what is important to us.

[qqsssss]

Online Communities and Internet Language Practices

Nowadays, I've noticed a phenomenon on short-video platforms: people can communicate using just a few letters. Users no longer use complete sentences, but frequently use abbreviations like "idk," "imo," "ngl," or even just "lol," yet everyone understands each other. At first glance, this language might seem lazy or incomplete, but in reality, it holds significant meaning within online communities.

These abbreviations are effective because they rely on shared knowledge. If you understand internet culture, comments like "ngl this ate" or "fr 💀" are immediately understandable, although they might be confusing to outsiders. In this way, internet language draws a line between those "in the know" and those who aren't. Using the right combination of letters at the right time signals that you belong to this group.

Even more interestingly, this language is incredibly efficient. Complete emotions, opinions, or reactions can be condensed into a few characters. You don't need to explain; you simply type "idc" or "bruh" and move on. This online language is not random or meaningless; it follows its own rules and norms. These short combinations of letters perfectly demonstrate how language adapts to the digital space and becomes a tool for identity, humor, and social connection.

[qqsssss]

Accents are part of the charm of language.

People often imagine language as a neutral tool: "As long as you can speak it, everyone will understand, right?" However, Chapter 1 shows that language is never truly neutral. It is always socially charged, meaning that people judge accents in the same way they judge fashion—some accents are labeled "stylish," while others are considered "clumsy" or "funny."

For example, when Arabic speakers attempt to learn Chinese pronunciation and understand Pinyin (the phonetic transcription of Chinese characters), their pronunciation might sound somewhat musical, and the Chinese people filming these scenes struggle to suppress their laughter.

阿拉伯人念中文_哔哩哔哩_bilibili

网络, 视频播放量 6183019、弹幕量 1594、点赞数 144027、投硬币枚数 4468、收藏人数 80895、转发人数 52575, 视频作者 luoli控没有错, 作者简介 没什么要说的～，相关视频：☝🤓世界上最简单的语言：阿拉伯语，汉语，俄语，英专生背《出师婊》，多

The video below also demonstrates the difference between the "standard" pronunciation of English words generated by translation software and the actual pronunciation of some Chinese learners. While the pronunciation in the video is exaggerated for comedic effect, it reflects the reality of how some Chinese learners speak English.

最地道的一集, 视频播放量 1121012、弹幕量 63、点赞数 15219、投硬币枚数 429、收藏人数 5550、转发人数 6309, 视频作者 水榭垂云, 作者简介 ，相关视频：京glish，这发音那叫一个地道02，地道北京话教学，《全球发音》🤓，番茄小说的AI配音，震惊我

Language is more than just a tool for expressing thoughts; it carries social meaning, identity markers, and sometimes even humor. Chapter 1 made me realize that when someone says, "Your accent is funny," what they really mean is, "I have a stereotype in my head about what your language should sound like." This reaction reflects social attitudes more than language ability itself.