About this episode
Language is always evolving, and reflecting back to us our society, politics and identity. From profanity, to personal pronouns, to the politics of translation and cultural appropriation, why do we use the words we do?
This event was recorded at the University of Sydney.
Speakers
John McWhorterAssociate Professor of English and Comparative Literature, Colombia UniversityAuthor, Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words, Nine Nasty Words: English in the Gutter, Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America and moreColumnist, New York TimesHost, Lexicon Valley podcast
Nick EnfieldProfessor of Linguistics, University of Sydney
Further information:
How a Plane to Australia Took Me to '90s Oakland - New York Times, 20 March, 2025
Get every episode summarized
Each time Big Ideas publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Big Ideas
Feminist trailblazer Gloria Steinem with Natasha Mitchell and guests on travels...
Big Ideas
Are kid's books too moralistic, worthy, or 'woke'? Andy Griffiths, Hilary Rogers...
Big Ideas
Inside the life of Elizabeth II with royal biographer Robert Hardman
Big Ideas
Tech activist Cory Doctorow says the internet's been enshittified. So is it too...
Big Ideas