Category: In Writing

Photo of Professor Crystal McRae speaking at Taipei Science Cafe
Photo of Sharkie Lin speaking against a presentation slide of tofu pieces cut in 3 D geometric shapes, and diagram of the Vedic Cube
Photo composition of fruits on an old, worn bamboo cutting boardm, full of old knife marks. Some cherries are scattered to the upper left. A large mango fills the upper right corner. In the center view is a ripe avocado cut in half, exposing the large, nearly spherical seed. A whole avocado rests nearby. Water droplets adorn the fruits. The style is hypersaturated in color and contrast, accentuating the shadows and cuts. Photo by Ben Young Landis
Photo of Mr. Spock from Star Trek, holding his hand up in the Vulcan salute, with a "V" formed by parting his fingers.

Live Long and Ever Given: A Cultural Explainer and Teachable Moment on Asian Language Bias

“It’s a weird name,” typed many a social media spectator this past week. Yes, much has been quipped of late about the Ever Given — the enormous cargo vessel that had been blocking the Suez Canal — as well as Evergreen, the Taiwanese shipping giant which owns the vessel. But the names actually serve as an example of how Asian languages and cultures often elicit a reaction of confusion or unconscious bias by Western audiences.

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2021.03.29 Ben Young Landis 0
An enormous freight ship, with shipping containers stacked more than 10 layers high like toy blocks, can be seen touching both sides of the Suez Canal. It's so big that a big tractor-digger on the shore looks like a tiny insect. The foreground is stacked containers from the ship from which this photo was taken.

Live Long and Ever Given: A Cultural Explainer and Teachable Moment on Asian Language Bias

“It’s a weird name,” typed many a social media spectator this past week. Yes, much has been quipped of late about the Ever Given — the enormous cargo vessel that had been blocking the Suez Canal — as well as Evergreen, the Taiwanese shipping giant which owns the vessel. But the names actually serve as an example of how Asian languages and cultures often elicit a reaction of confusion or unconscious bias by Western audiences.

Continue Reading
2021.03.29 Ben Young Landis 0