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linguistic profiling

linguistic profiling

1 9.2
Assuming someone's background from the way they speak
  • noun
  • /lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪk ˈproʊfaɪlɪŋ/
  • Offensive
translation icon : perfilación lingüística
  • The landlord was accused of linguistic profiling after rejecting applicants based on their accents.

Examples

  • Linguistic profiling can lead to unfair decisions in job recruitment based on how a candidate speaks.

  • Policies have been proposed to prevent linguistic profiling in housing and employment decisions.

  • Researchers study linguistic profiling to understand how language can influence social bias.

  • Many people believe that linguistic profiling is a form of discrimination.

  • The police were accused of linguistic profiling during the investigation.

  • Many people are unaware that linguistic profiling can affect their chances of getting a loan.

  • The study discussed how linguistic profiling reinforces stereotypes about social class and ethnicity.

How Discriminatory

discrimination
  • Offensive
535 3.5
linguistic profiling
  • Offensive
1 9.2

Surface Forms

Morphology

linguistic + profiling

The meaning is directly compositional: 'linguistic' (pertaining to language) modifies 'profiling' (analyzing or grouping), so a learner can infer it means profiling based on language or speech characteristics. This X+profiling pattern is common and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both words can reasonably deduce the MWE's sense.

Etymology

Linguistic profiling comes from the idea of making a quick 'profile' from someone's speech: linguistic means 'language' and profiling means guessing who someone is by how they talk. So, it means 'judging' a person's race, religion, or social group from their way of speaking.