How You Say It by Katherine D. Kinzler
How You Say It: Why You Talk the Way You Do—And What It Says About You by Katherine D. Kinzler reveals the profound social and psychological impacts of language. Published in 2020, it explores how accents, dialects, and the way we speak shape our identity and influence social structures. Through meticulous research, Kinzler delves into language’s role in reinforcing biases and defining how we perceive others.
Who May Benefit from the Book
- Social scientists studying language’s role in society.
- Psychologists interested in speech and identity.
- Individuals aiming to challenge their biases.
- Educators and sociolinguists researching dialects.
- Public speakers or leaders improving communication.
- Parents raising bilingual children.
- Linguistics students exploring speech patterns.
7 Key Lessons and Takeaways
- Language Shapes Identity: Our speech reflects and reinforces our social identity.
- Biases in Accents: We often categorize people based on their accents, reinforcing stereotypes.
- Early Language Exposure Matters: Children exposed to multiple languages early on are more adept linguistically.
- Accent Discrimination: Job prospects and societal perceptions can be unfairly shaped by accents.
- Bilingualism’s Cognitive Benefits: Bilingual children show better problem-solving and empathy.
- Language Unifies and Divides: Shared language can both bring people together and create divisions.
- Speech Over Appearance: Language can sometimes outweigh appearance in influencing social judgments.
The Book in 20 Words
Our speech reflects identity, perpetuates bias, and defines how society perceives us, impacting social hierarchies and personal opportunities.
The Book Summary in 1 Minute
Katherine Kinzler’s How You Say It explores how the way we speak—accents, dialects, and vocal nuances—impacts our social identity, reinforcing or dismantling biases. Language not only communicates information but also serves as a tool of judgment, often shaping perceptions of intelligence and character. The book highlights the influence of speech on job prospects, social interactions, and even cognitive development, especially in bilingual individuals. Kinzler underscores the importance of early language exposure and the lifelong impact it has on linguistic abilities. Overall, she reveals how deeply intertwined language is with societal structures.
The Book Summary in 10 Minutes
Language and Identity
Language plays a pivotal role in shaping personal and collective identity. How we speak can reflect our cultural background, social status, and community affiliations. Accents, word choices, and speech patterns all act as markers, subtly indicating where we fit in society. In her book, Kinzler discusses how these linguistic cues are often used to categorize and define individuals, impacting everything from job opportunities to social interactions. For example, someone with a “posh” British accent may be perceived as more intelligent or trustworthy than someone with a regional dialect, regardless of their actual qualifications or abilities.
The Role of Accent in Bias
Accents have a profound effect on how people are judged. Kinzler reveals how biases based on accents are ingrained in societies around the world. These biases can often be more powerful than racial or ethnic biases. For instance, in the United States, speakers with Southern or African American Vernacular English (AAVE) accents may be perceived as less competent or educated than those with a Standard American English accent. These judgments are often subconscious, but they can significantly affect social dynamics and opportunities. Kinzler illustrates this through real-life examples of accent discrimination in hiring processes, where equally qualified candidates are often judged based on their speech.
Early Exposure to Language
One of the most critical insights in How You Say It is the importance of early language exposure. Kinzler explains how children exposed to multiple languages from a young age develop not only better linguistic skills but also superior cognitive abilities. Bilingual children, for example, often excel in problem-solving, empathy, and abstract thinking. This linguistic agility stems from the brain’s ability to navigate between languages, a skill that strengthens mental flexibility. Kinzler also points out that children exposed to varied accents and dialects early on are less likely to develop strong linguistic biases, making them more open-minded in social interactions.
| Stage of Language Learning | Proficiency |
|---|---|
| Early Childhood (0-7 years) | Native or near-native fluency |
| Adolescence (7-18 years) | Strong grasp, with minor pronunciation errors |
| Adulthood (18+ years) | More difficult, with persistent accent |
Speech and Social Structures
Language has the power to both unify and divide. On the one hand, shared language can create a sense of belonging and community, while on the other, differences in speech can reinforce social divisions. Kinzler examines how societies have historically used language as a tool for oppression, citing examples such as the use of Afrikaans during apartheid in South Africa to suppress native languages. The book also explores how modern societies continue to use language to separate “us” from “them,” reinforcing class and ethnic distinctions through dialects and accents.
Cognitive Benefits of Bilingualism
Kinzler devotes a section of her book to the cognitive advantages of bilingualism, debunking the myth that learning multiple languages can confuse children. On the contrary, she shows that bilingual individuals often develop stronger cognitive skills than their monolingual peers. Bilingualism improves mental flexibility, allowing individuals to switch between tasks more easily and think more creatively. Bilingual children also show a greater capacity for empathy, as they are better at understanding that others may have different perspectives. Kinzler advocates for early language education, emphasizing that the earlier a child is exposed to multiple languages, the greater the cognitive benefits.
Accent Discrimination in Professional and Legal Settings
One of the most striking examples in the book is the story of Manuel Fragante, a Filipino man who was denied a job at the DMV due to his accent, despite being highly qualified. Kinzler uses this case to highlight how accent discrimination is often overlooked but widespread. She discusses how accents can impact everything from courtroom credibility to hiring decisions, illustrating the deep-seated biases that exist in professional and legal settings. Accent discrimination, Kinzler argues, is a form of prejudice that needs more attention and policy change to ensure fairness in society.
Language as a Tool for Social Judgment
Kinzler emphasizes that language can often outweigh appearance when it comes to social judgment. Studies have shown that people are more likely to judge others based on their speech than their physical appearance. For example, participants in experiments were more likely to trust individuals who spoke with a familiar accent than those who looked like them but spoke with a different accent. This insight reveals the deep-rooted connection between language and social trust, showing how speech can shape our perceptions of others in powerful ways.
About the Author
Katherine D. Kinzler is a professor of psychology at the University of Chicago, where she specializes in the intersection of language and social psychology. Her research has been featured in prominent academic journals, and she has written for The New York Times and Quartz. Kinzler’s work explores how linguistic differences influence social interactions, identity, and bias.
How to Get the Best of the Book
To make the most of How You Say It, approach the book with an open mind about your own linguistic biases. Take time to reflect on your speech patterns and how you perceive others’ accents. Engage with the research and real-life examples to challenge your preconceived notions about language and identity.
Conclusion
How You Say It is an insightful exploration into the intricate connections between language, identity, and social bias. Kinzler’s research sheds light on how our speech influences perceptions, biases, and opportunities. This book is a thought-provoking guide for anyone looking to better understand how language shapes society and our interactions with one another.