The Secret Life of Language

Dec 16 2024 18 ep. 36 mins 26

The Secret Life of Language Podcast artwork

The Secret Life of Language dives into the cultures, arts, and histories that underpin and inform the diverse languages we speak. From the studios of the University of Melbourne’s School of Languages and Linguistics.

Society & Culture Education

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Universities and the rise of AI - Part 4: Should language experts fear the machines?

Dec 16 2024 75 mins

Is generative AI a disruptive force or an opportunity for those who work with languages? As genAI and machine learning technologies remake the translation industry, what does it mean for the career prospects of professional translators? And can AI be harnessed to preserve and revitalize the world's linguistic diversity?In this episode of The Secret Life of Language, we look at the

Universities and the rise of AI - Part 3: Risks and opportunities

Nov 13 2024 57 mins

What might we lose or gain as AI reshapes academia? Can AI be leveraged ethically to foster learning, or does it fundamentally undermine academic integrity? And how do we ensure authentic learning in an AI-augmented world? Join us as we ponder the shifting roles of educators and students, and consider whether the future of assessments lies in oral exams, digital literacy, or someth

Universities and the rise of AI - Part 2: A peek into large language models

Oct 20 2024 44 mins

Generative AI tools are making waves in universities, but what exactly powers these systems? In this second of a series of episodes that examines the impact of generative AI on university education and research, we pull back the curtain on the technology that's rapidly changing how we live, work, and interact with the world. The Secret Life of Language hosts John Hajek and Yu Hao a

Universities and the rise of AI - Part 1: Ethical quandaries

Oct 08 2024 50 mins

In this first of a limited series of episodes of The Secret Life of Language, we delve into the rapidly evolving world of generative AI (genAI) and its profound impact on university education. As tools like ChatGPT and other AI-driven technologies transform how students learn, work, and even cheat, what challenges and opportunities do they present for academia? How should universit

Secret messages of the batá drums - Yoruba culture from Nigeria to Cuba

Jun 03 2024 43 mins

Mystical messages infuse the batá drumming of Nigeria’s Yoruba people. Emerging in the 6th Century royal courts of the Oyo Empire, the artform was transplanted to Cuba during the trans-Atlantic slave trade, where it became critical to the survival of African ethnic identity under Spanish colonial rule, and subsequently became embedded in Cuban culture more broadly.This episode u

The Politics of Language in Wartime Ukraine

Feb 18 2024 62 mins

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many Ukrainians who grew up speaking Russian are now making the shift to Ukrainian. But what’s motivating this shift? How does language feature more largely in Russia’s war against Ukraine? And what’s been the impact of centuries of Russification, and the suppression of the Ukrainian language and identity, on present-day Ukrain

Truth-telling and the ancient knowledge of Indigenous food systems

Nov 07 2021 23 mins

First Nation knowledge surrounding sustainable food systems has largely been ignored in Australia. In this episode we consider how all of us can acknowledge and learn from the historical denial of this ancient wisdom to build common ground for the future. Host Adrian Hearn and co-host Lara Anderson are joined by Zena Cumpston, a Barkandji Woman from Western New South Wales and Rese

Keywords - Does nothing actually mean something? Part II: Mawng language; science and music

Oct 10 2021 25 mins

Keywords - Nothing In this episode of The Secret Life of Language, we explore a keyword, nothing. A keyword is a word or concept of great significance. Our Keywords project follows ever-changing words for an ever-changing world. In this episode of The Secret Life of Language, we explore the word nothing, it's history and its relevance today. Our guests talk about the etymology of

Keywords - Does nothing actually mean something? Part I: Lexicology; Shakespeare

Aug 24 2021 35 mins

Keywords - Nothing In this episode of The Secret Life of Language, we explore a keyword, nothing. A keyword is a word or concept of great significance. Our Keywords project follows ever-changing words for an ever-changing world. In this episode of The Secret Life of Language, we explore the word nothing, it's history and its relevance today. Our guests talk about the etymology of

Multicultural values and social inclusion through traditional food.

Nov 02 2020 28 mins

Living in a foreign land can be challenging enough, but often made worse by not having access to the traditional foods and family dishes of your formative years. In this episode of The Secret Life of Language, we explore the growing role of food in empowering refugees and recent migrants. Our guests talk about the different food businesses and initiatives that help recent migrants