Misconstruing the meaning of a word can have devastating results—as evidenced by what happened to Chris Rogers and his lost Fulbright Fellowship.
Words matter, and misunderstanding the meaning of words can have real-life consequences. Such is the reality for Associate Professor Chris Rogers, a specialist in linguistic language conservation and ethno-diversity, when his Fulbright scholarship was defunded due to the misunderstanding of a single word in the title.
Rogers had received the prestigious award to support work with a university in the Philippines to train staff there on documenting and preserving endangered languages. The abrupt reversal of the award came at the hands of US officials who had been tasked with evaluating DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies nationwide. The term “diversity” has become politically charged and aggressively handled.
What Does Diversity Mean? Depends on the Context
The phrase “linguistic diversity” appeared in the title of Rogers’s project, but in truth, his project had nothing to do with “diversity” in the context as defined by DEI. Instead, Rogers’s work focused on how language connects to identity and economic disparity, an essential area of research for understanding social and cultural inequalities. Had the officials who pulled the plug on the project reviewed the project more carefully, they almost certainly would not have defunded it.
Rogers is concerned that rigid policies will discourage scholars from pursuing research in this area. “When researchers have to censor their terminology to fit into an ever-changing political landscape, it creates a chilling effect on academic freedom,” he warns.
When researchers have to censor their terminology to fit into an ever-changing political landscape, it creates a chilling effect on academic freedom.
This experience was particularly painful for Rogers. It was the third time he had matched for a Fulbright, but due to extenuating circumstances on the first two, was not able to accept them. This third time he not only matched but also was able to fulfill the Fulbright. He had organized his semester with the support of his department leadership so that he could leave midterm for 3 to 4 weeks. So it was not just his dreams—and those of the university in the Philippines—that were affected. Rogers suddenly had to re-adjust the class schedule to accommodate him.
A few weeks later all Fulbright scholarships were defunded by the US State Department. In the middle of all that upheaval, Rogers’s situation is less likely to raise eyebrows.
Political Interpretations of Terminology
Beyond his personal disappointment, Rogers sees a broader impact on the future of science and education in the United States. If scholars and scientists find their work limited or dismissed based on political interpretations of terminology, the U.S. risks falling behind in global research. The situation also raises concerns about brain drain—where top academics may seek opportunities elsewhere rather than navigate restrictive policies at home.
Ultimately, the experience reminds us of the importance of understanding words, of reading and evaluating with a critical eye, and being careful in how policies are implemented. But there is also a lesson to those working with words in any field: you can’t determine how others will interpret what you communicate. The challenge for all of us going forward is to ensure that language remains a tool for effective expression and research rather than an obstacle to it.
As for Rogers, he continues to teach linguistics, research language conservation and linguistic ecologies, and learn about the important role of language diversity in the lives of all humans. “At BYU, we have to learn how to grapple with faith in science. They’re both important, essential parts of who we are.” Such an approach, he believes, allows us to further our learning about ourselves and to strengthen our beliefs in each other.