I had the chance to speak with Lisa Young, 22, a Delaware native who is getting her master’s degree in forensic linguistics at Hofstra University. Young already speaks a handful of languages, but hopes to dedicate her life to learning and restoring vanishing languages.
What is forensic linguistics?
We’re using the analysis of linguistics to prove something in a legal setting. So an example, well actually my favorite example is my professor’s. My professor started this program [in forensic linguistics at Hofstra University] a few years back. There was a young man who was framed for murder, and the prosecution had a “taped confession” in which he said he killed the guy. Of course taped confessions are usually quite convincing in court. My professor was able to prove by analyzing the tape that there was absolutely no way the man would have said the things that were said on that tape. The words were simply not in his dialect. He would not have thought to say the words he used, because they were not in his vocabulary. This evidence was enough to cast doubt, and he was acquitted. He was free.
Why did you choose forensic linguistics for your Master’s Degree?
Language is so important. I could look like this: I’m kind of dark with curly hair. People might assume I’m from a French-speaking African country, but as soon as I open my mouth, they know I’m American. Language says so much about where you are from.
If you analyze someone’s language, you can tell where they are from, maybe they’re socioeconomic status, male or female, maybe even their religion. They’re so much in the language you speak. It’s almost a diary of your life.
You’re studying forensic linguistics, but you plan to make a career of protecting endangered languages. Why focus on languages that are disappearing?
You’re studying forensic linguistics, but you plan to have make a career (my PhD will be in theoretical LING) studying endangered languages. Why focus on languages that are disappearing?
Language is such a reflection of culture; it’s like looking in a mirror. To see that possibly go away, it’s bad for the Earth. Diversity of culture, diversity of thought is too important. If we all had to look the same, act the same, where is the fun in that?
I am of really mixed decent, but mostly indigenous. My family is really Americanized, and I don’t know any of my indigenous languages. I hate that, especially because I know a number of other languages.
It reminds me of what happened all over the world, particularly with strong governments. As a result of globalization, people who speak a minor language tend to grasp a large language in an area. In many Latin American countries, for example, people will abandon their mother tongue to speak Spanish. This may provide them more economic opportunities; however, the loss of these tongues equals the loss of an crucial aspect of culture, insightful cognitive processing information, and another perspective that adds to knowledge and understanding of the world.
