To understand typography, we have to understand languages and the tools we use to make our markings. Our languages are a vital part of our identity. They come from the lands we live in and embody collective knowledge of our environment. What happens when these languages evolve? In my talk, I will shed light on the politics of language evolution by taking the example of “Hinglish” – a modern dialect emerging from the globalised need of English and humble roots of Hindi. What is lost in this translation and what remains? We will understand Hinglish as a hybrid language and further draw parallels with our tools of creation. We translate everyday, whether it is translating our thoughts into drawings or sounds to communicate with other beings. Language in itself is an act of translation and our tools help us do the same. Faced by a variety of tools in my own creative practice, I explain the concept of ‘translation’ with the use of metaphors and self made experiments. What is the impact of our tools on the way we learn and further express? I explore this relationship and dig into what really happens in the evolution of our tools and languages. With the ever changing landscape of our technology, I feel it is relevant for us to understand our roots so that we can evolve to not only find efficient ways of communication but to also find strength in our diverse origins.
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