647: Dr. Valerie Fridland | Building Connections Through Linguistics

To some degree we all hold a linguistic bias, but if we can learn what they are in ourselves and others, it could help us build better relationships. Dr. Valerie Fridland is Professor of sociolinguistics at the University of Nevada. An expert on the relationship between language and society, her work has appeared in numerous academic journals and scholarly collections. She is co-author of the book, Sociophonetics and lead editor of three volumes on Western states English. Her language blog, Language in the Wild, is featured on Psychology Today, and her lecture series, Language and Society, is available from The Great Courses. She is also working on her first book for a popular audience, I Hate When You Say That! Let’s dive right in and learn from the expert how we can build connections by understanding linguistics. Things you will learn in this episode:  [00:01 - 04:23] Opening Segment  I introduce today’s guest, Dr. Valerie FridlandValerie gives a bit of her background Daughter to French speaking parents Aware of the social significance of languageGetting a PhD in linguistics [04:24 - 24:43] Building Connections Through LinguisticsThe role language plays in your surroundingsMaking people feel more connected Classifying yourself Costing you jobs and judgeships The importance of understanding how linguistics worksThere is not a wrong or right way Where linguistic bias originatedPower and prestigeThe way you react to speech Practical ways we can connect without linguist biasExample through fill-pauses: Ums and uhs Get to know your linguistic styleThe example of ‘like’A word from our Sponsor  [24:44 - 41:12] Building Your NetworkWho you know, or what you know?The what is important as a professor Who you know is vital to building a business Valerie uses me as an example for a linguistic testWhat to do with linguistic informationRevealing who they spend the most time withA connection that has impacted Valerie’s pathAn embarrassing moment that led to something significantThe importance of mentors in Valerie’s experienceAlways building off of other people Asking, What can I learn? Valerie’s number one networking tipBe genuineBuild relationships not transactions [41:13 - 48:27] Closing SegmentThE RaNdOm RoUnDHow to engage with ValerieLinks below Final words  Tweetable Quotes:  “The thing we learn growing up about languages is that there’s a right way to speak it and a wrong way to speak it and that’s the biggest fallacy that’s out there…” - Dr. Valerie Fridland  “I can’t imagine any job or field, or even life situation, where having someone walk in those shoes, before you, isn’t helpful… Everything I do builds on something that someone else did.” - Dr. Valerie Fridland Resources Mentioned:  Language LogLexicon ValleyPsychology Today Connect and engage with Dr. Fridland on https://www.valeriefridland.com/ and learn more interesting facts about linguistics in our daily lives.  Did you love the value that we are putting out in the show? LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you! Share this episode and help someone who wants to connect with world-class people.  Jump on over to travischappell.com/makemypodcast and let my team make you your very own show! If you want to learn how to build YOUR network, check out my website travischappell.com. You can connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Be sure to join The Lounge to become part of the community that’s setting up REAL relationships that add value and create investments. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy