Universal Languages of Human Being

Universal Languages of Human Being is an inspiring speech. It is given by Poet Ali in his TED talks. It encourages us to spread harmony and love among human being despite Nationality, race, caste, religion etc.

Transcript of TED Talk

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I want to ask you guys a question. How many languages do you speak? This is not a rhetorical question. I actually want you to think of a number. For some of you, it’s pretty easy. Inside your head, you’re like, “It’s one. You’re speaking it, buddy. I’m done.” Others of you maybe are wondering if the language an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend taught you, where you learned all the cusswords, if it counts — go ahead and count it. When I ask myself the question, I came up with four, arguably five, if I’ve been drinking. 

But on closer examination, I came up with 83 — 83 languages, and I faded and I restrict counting. And it forced me to revisit this definition that we have of language. The first entry said, “The method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a structured or conventional way.” The definition at the bottom refers to specialized fields, like medicine, science, tech. We know they have their own vernacular, their own jargon. 

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But what most interested me was that definition right in the center there: “the system of communication used by a particular community or country.” And I’m not interested in altering this definition. I’m interested in applying it to everything we do, because I believe that we speak far more languages than we realize. And for the rest of our time together, I’m going to attempt to speak in one language that is native to every single human being in this room. 

But that changes things a little bit, because then it’s no longer a presentation. It becomes a conversation, and in any conversation, there must be some sort of interaction. And for any interaction to happen, there has to be a degree of willingness on both parties. And I think if we just are willing, we will see the magic that can happen with just a little bit of willingness. So I’ve chosen a relatively low-risk common denominator that can kind of gauge if we’re all willing. If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. 

For full transcript, please visit: https://www.ted.com/talks/poet_ali_the_language_of_being_human/transcript#t-53244

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