Broadcasts.com - "Mindfulness: Language" (Life is Work)

RESULT: A mindfulness series! To build upon our initial overview episode on mindfulness, today we will talk through the concept of mindful language - what it means, how it’s a healthy shift in mindset to bring attention to how we speak, and how to begin applying its principles into your life.
Danecdote
- Learning french - shift from direct translation to what is it that I /mean/?
- Experience helped me think more critically about words
  - Is this word/phrase expressing what I mean?
    - If I find out that a phrase/word is related to hierarchy/harm, I do not use it anymore (ex. lame)

Protein - Main Event - Topic d’jour

Definition: speaking can be second nature to us and a default in our communication, so we want to ensure we are using it as a tool for the benefit of ourselves and those around us.
Language
- Tool for communication
  - Verbals & nonverbals
- English default in US
  - Not the same in other cultures/countries
  - English as a colonial practice - ex. Of a school board meeting where there was debate about teaching both English and Spanish. The 1st language spanish speaking children were told to learn English and only focus on English, a white girl presented at the board meeting speaking in Spanish and was given a standing ovation.
  - Who is considered “bilingual/multilingual”?
- Dialect/culture
  - “Correct” English
  - Codeswitching
    - BIPOC changing how they communicate to accommodate the culture/language practices of those with the most power in society is harmful
- Say My Name Correctly
  - Heard this a lot growing up in school “Can I call you X instead?”
    - Related: “Give your daughters difficult names” by Warsan Shire

Names that command the full use of the tongue.

My name makes you want to tell me the truth.

My name does not allow me to trust anyone

who cannot pronounce it right.”

—Warsan Shire

Filling in “awkward pauses”
- cultural/relational
High/low context
- High context - words/phrases likely “mean” multiple things/subtext is highly likely; you need a lot of context to interpret communication - BIPOC norm
- Low context - “say what you mean” - european/white cultural norm
Harmful Language
- Default language - “everybody says that”
- Another power dynamics shoutout - who says a word matters
- Coded language
  - “Good schools”
  - “Ghetto”
  - “At risk”
- Related: language that perpetuates harmful power structures
  - Slave vs. enslaved (self explanatory)
  - Boys & girls, ladies and gentlemen (binary language, reinforces that there are only 2 choices)
  - Over-exploited country vs. third world country (cre: britt hawthorn’s tweet) - colonialism
  - Died by suicide vs. they killed themselves (removed resposibility/blame of mental illness from the individual)
  - Re: Jeffrey Epstein case - “underage women” vs. children, “child prostitute” vs. rape victims/assault victims/survivors “non consensual sex” vs. rape (cre: save the children)
  - So much power in saying the thing that is true
Honoring Identity & History
- Latino, Hispanic, Chicano, LatinX
- BIPOC
- Pronouns! Resource: mypronouns.org
Ableism
- Deaf/Hard of Hearing Community
- Literacy/Writing ability
- Access to education
  - Helping professionals - “5th/6th grade reading level”
Where do we start
- Awareness (Mindfulness!)
  - Get curious - study yourself!
  - Have found the process of interrogating the phrases/words I use to be a kind of “waking up” process. Just becoming aware of the things I often say and why I say them (where did I hear them? What is the history? What system is it a part of/in support of?)
    - Ex. I’m Sorry (am I?), “these are my thoughts” (I use this to neutralize), also common phrases that are harmful
    - Second step here is to analyze (inspiration cr: Developing a LIberatory Consciousness by Barbara Love) - is what I am saying consistent with my values of an equitable society? Is this word/phrase contributing to a system of injustice?
- Beginner’s mind - a mindful concept of trying to get back into the place/feeling/mindset of learning something for the first time
  - “What am i trying to say?”
    - Meaning vs. exact words
  - “What is the goal of this communication?”
  - “Who is my audience?”
  - Lead with your values!
- Breathing
  - Before communication/in the midst of communication, try to take a breath. Breath and air allow for pause time, allow for others to naturally participate, also good for living
- Active listening
  - Reflecting
  - mmhmms/nods
  - Summarizing
  - Fosters connection
- NVC - surprise surprise
  - Observe
  - Feel
  - Need
  - Request
- Mantras
  - In many spiritual traditions, the concept of the mantra is rooted in the idea that the sounds/vibrational quality of the syllables/words themselves have power, rather than the exact meaning of the syllable/word
    - Vibration in body
- Remember, the goal is not to be perfect (permission for imperfection), the purpose it to always be evolving and striving to be a better, cooler human

Mel’s Mindful Minute: 46:50

Mantras

We Are Always Students

Duolingo/Rosetta Stone
A Way With Words radio show/podcast - NPR
@britthawthorne_ (Twitter) @britthawthorne (instagram) anti-bias education, intentional language when teaching children
- Tweet about language around income levels
- Tweet about saying what’s true, undoing harm by old phrases
On Developing a Liberatory Consciousness by Barbara Love
Also - see our NVC episode! (ep 9) for more tips and resources for communicating effectively

Sharing is Self-Caring

Self-care
- Do you have a personal mantra? Or some phrases/quotes that are meaningful to you?
- What phrases/words do I use that unintentionally perpetuate harm?
Community-care
- What is a recent conversation with a friend or coworker that went really well? What about it “clicked”?
Systems-care
- How do our environments rely on certain modes/forms of communication? Even phrases of communication? Are they flexible or inflexible? Are other modes considered?

Reach Out!

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Insta & Twitter - @ lifeisworkpod
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info@palanteconsulting.com