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The AutSide Podcast
Episode 274: Unwriting Empire - A Queer History of Language
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Episode 274: Unwriting Empire - A Queer History of Language

“Today’s episode explores a queer history of language, proposing that writing originated not from imperial control or measurement, but from sacred, relational, and feminine roots. It suggests that early marks were invocations and gestures, connecting to the land and spirit rather than serving as tools for documentation or command. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, argues that a significant “break” occurred when language transformed into a tool of empire, becoming standardised, professionalized, and used for governance and control, thereby losing its original, deeper meaning. Despite this shift, Dr. Hoerricks contends that the feminine and sacred aspects of language persist in various forms, like ancient letter shapes and oral traditions, offering a path to reclaim language as a fluid, embodied, and interconnected presence rather than a fixed, linear system. Ultimately, she advocates for a return to a more ancestral and intuitive understanding of communication, embracing ambiguity and resonance over rigid rules and definitive endings.”

Here’s the link to the source article: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/unwriting-empire-a-queer-history

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