CONTEXT 作品背景
In the context of globalization, people have the technology to connect with each other, but relying solely on the use of native languages inevitably hampers freedom of expression and communication, so intercultural communication is always difficult. This has led to the creation of constructed languages (Conlang), such as Esperanto and Ido, but they still have limitations and are not widely used for political and social reasons. Cross-cultural communication remains a wicked problem.
Through this project, we explored the nature of language and how it works, compared different lingua franca used in the world and found that visual language can be the most ethical tool for cross-cultural communication. Since we have neither the ability to create a new visual language system nor the power to set visual language standards, we have chosen to use existing visual languages to create a manifesto that raises people’s awareness of the pain points of language use worldwide and promotes language equality and inclusiveness.
In the context of globalization, people have the technology to connect with each other, but relying solely on the use of native languages inevitably hampers freedom of expression and communication, so intercultural communication is always difficult. This has led to the creation of constructed languages (Conlang), such as Esperanto and Ido, but they still have limitations and are not widely used for political and social reasons. Cross-cultural communication remains a wicked problem.
Through this project, we explored the nature of language and how it works, compared different lingua franca used in the world and found that visual language can be the most ethical tool for cross-cultural communication. Since we have neither the ability to create a new visual language system nor the power to set visual language standards, we have chosen to use existing visual languages to create a manifesto that raises people’s awareness of the pain points of language use worldwide and promotes language equality and inclusiveness.
在全球化的背景下，人们得益于技术的发展有了更多连接机会，但仅仅依靠使用母语不可避免地阻碍了表达和交流的自由，因此，跨文化交流总是很困难。这导致了自创语言（Conlang）的产生，如世界语和伊多语等。但是，它们仍有局限性，政治和社会原因也导致了其没有被广泛使用。跨文化交流仍然是一个无解的，复杂的问题。通过这个项目，我们探索了语言的本质及其运作方式，比较了世界上使用的不同语言，发现视觉语言可以成为跨文化交流的相对公平的交流工具。由于我们既没有能力创造一个新的视觉语言系统，也没有能力制定视觉语言标准，所以我们选择用现有的视觉语言来创造一个宣言，提高人们对全世界语言使用的痛点的认识，促进语言平等和包容。
declare 声明
This is a research-based collaboration project with Zihan Lei for MA Design Management Course at the London College of Communication, UAL. In this project, we are not providing any design solution and not try to solve any problems. Our goal is to increase public awareness regarding the significance of language equality and inclusivity, while also encouraging discussion and self-reflection. Therefore, this project is the beginning of our exploration of linguistic and inclusiveness and will be continued or fulfilled in the future by those who share the same interest with us.
这是一个伦敦艺术大学，伦敦传媒学院设计管理硕士课程的合作项目，本项目与同班同学雷紫涵合作，以项目调研为主。因此，在这个项目中，我们不提供任何设计方案，也不试图解决任何问题。我们的目标是提高公众对语言平等和包容性的意义的认识，同时也鼓励讨论和自我反省。因此，这个项目是我们对语言和包容性探索的开始，未来将由那些与我们有同样兴趣的人继续或完成。
This Project is also a part of the Language Project 2023 of the University of Arts London (UAL). Please see our project displayed by visiting the The Language Project 2023 (click it to access the website)
本项目也是伦敦艺术大学（UAL）2023年语言项目的一部分。请通过访问The Language Project 2023查看我们的项目展示。
本项目也是伦敦艺术大学（UAL）2023年语言项目的一部分。请通过访问The Language Project 2023查看我们的项目展示。
INTRODUCTION OF DESIGNERS 设计师简介
Xintong Liang and Zihan Lei are studying MA Design Management at LCC. Topics of interest to them include but are not limited to multiculturalism, inclusive and equality, speculative design. 梁欣桐和雷紫涵在LCC学习设计管理硕士。他们感兴趣的话题包括但不限于多元文化、包容性和平等、推测性设计。
Language-Art Project exhibition, 2023, London College of Communication, UAL | Photograph: Yana Kasa
The Self-created Research and Design Framework
The Manifesto
Visualised Manifesto
Research and Design | Xintong Liang (Sammy) & Zihan Lei (Lucile)
Advisor | Sara Ekenger @ University of Arts London, London College of Communication
April 2023
Advisor | Sara Ekenger @ University of Arts London, London College of Communication
April 2023