Film Lens
The film examines the intricate relationship between language and identity, focusing on how language shapes our understanding of ourselves and our communities. It features insights from Jane Berko Gleason, a Professor Emerita at Boston University, who discusses the WUK test she created in 1958 to assess speech development in young children. The documentary shows how children begin to learn language even before birth and how they interact with their social environment to acquire vocabulary and communication skills.
Additionally, the film covers the diversity of dialects and accents in places like New York City, where various linguistic patterns coexist. It emphasizes the importance of local accents and the growing pride in regional language varieties, particularly African American English, advocating for wider acceptance and celebration of these forms of communication.
Why Watch
- •Meet Jane Berko Gleason, a pioneer in language development research.
- •Find out how babies learn language in utero.
- •See the rich diversity of dialects in New York City.
Did You Know
•Babies begin to learn language before they are born.
•Jane Berko Gleason created the WUK test in 1958 for children ages 2 to 4.
•New York City has more dialects and accents than any other place in the world.
Perfect For
Linguistics enthusiastsParents of young childrenNew York City locals