I interviewed a Universal Basic Income (UBI) campaign about what UBI is and why it is advantageous to society to introduce it. Below, I will discuss phrases or terms that an English learner might find difficult and put them in context. I will also go into more depth about why these terms/phrases are important in terms of UBI (in a bit more depth than was included in the podcast). It is recommended that you listen to the episode before looking at the vocab below.
The episode can be found on the podcast platforms below:
Spotify: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/4O4opl0crMb
Other locations: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2393977
Floor of financial security-1.56
Which they would fall below: Floor a minimal level for something. In this case a minimal level of money that a person would be living on. This minimal level of money is needed for someone to better cover the basics, such as food. It would, in theory, allow people to put more money towards eating healthily, which would mean less of a strain on the healthcare systems. It could also mean better mental health as people would be able to choose their work or negotiate for better terms of employment. Their employer would be less able to exploit them.
Vouchers/food stamps-2.18
A voucher/food stamps would be a substitute for cash. It is usually a slip of paper that people can take to a location and exchange for food. However, there is a stigma associated with the need to use cash substitutes, which could be avoided by giving people money. As well potentially being stigmatising these cash substitutes could mean that people’s poverty is alleviated but that they can’t spend money on things which help them improve their life circumstances. For example, someone on UBI could pay for food but also pay to take a short course, which would allow them to progress career-wise and thus have more job satisfaction or transition to another area career-wise. UBI could help people self-actualise. The other thing that UBI could do is allow individuals to spend more time with those close to them and have a better work-life balance.
Households-2.41
Person or persons living in a dwelling. In this case, households were mentioned in terms of the composition of a household. Households are important in the conversation about UBI because, as it stands at the moment, who you live with can impact if you receive benefits. Benefits being conditional on living circumstances can cause a problem because this can lead to strained relationships and resentment. Also, it can lead to reduced access to services whereby if someone lives in a household where they can’t receive benefits, they won’t be able to access certain services to get back to work because these services are only available to those on benefits and thus certain avenues to get back into work aren’t open to them.
Unconditional-3.07
In the case of UBI everyone gets the payment. They don’t have to give information about who they live with or if they are making an effort to look for work. An advantage of not having to prove that you are looking for work is that this effort is something that is very hard to assess. With UBI the individuals would be less stressed as they don’t have to prove that they are making an effort.
Welfare state-4.40
Welfare state provides security for individuals who are unemployed, ill, elderly etc. However, security is potentially inadequate and conditional, which is problematic.
Co-habit-5.20
Living with another person. Used for people who are married or in long-term partnerships.
State pension-6.04
A payment most people claim from the government when they reach retirement age.
Child benefit-6.21
Payment given to parents of children and teenagers.
Universality-6.40
Applicable to all people.
Fruits of it-8.55
What it produced in terms of its monetary value from labour on land, etc., potentially goes back to the idea that property is a type of theft. There was a period of time when property was claimed through theft (the start of the Enclosures Act), which was the start of capitalism and hoarded wealth. UBI would make things more equitable; it wouldn’t matter if you were born with certain privileges, e.g., with a certain level of wealth.
Mean spirited-14.54
Its unkind to make someone claim benefits because it is stigmatising and embarrasses people as they feel that they need to beg and jump through hoops to prove that they need help. People feel demeaned by the whole process.
Bureaucracy-15.40 bureaucrat, bureaucratic
The above describes processes that require too much paperwork. The fact that there is too much paperwork can make it daunting or difficult to navigate the system. If you were a person who had a disability which impacted your ability to fill in the paperwork perhaps you wouldn’t go for the benefits that you needed. If you have a mental health issues perhaps that would be a barrier to filling out paperwork because you would feel too overwhelmed to fill out the paperwork.
Stunted development 17.51
Stunted development in this instant would be children not developing or growing as they should. If, for example, a parent can’t feed their children properly, then that child could develop health issues such as deficiency. Certain deficiencies, e.g., vitamin D, can impact bone growth and cause a condition called rickets. If children don’t have enough to eat, their ability to concentrate in class and thus their education could be impacted.
Destitution- 20.01
When someone is destitute, it means they have no money or possessions. However, with the safety net of a Universal Basic Income (UBI), individuals can avoid destitution even if they leave a job that doesn’t meet their needs.
Fire-20.03
When an employer lets go over a worker due to misconduct or inability to do their job.
Means testing-22.32
Establish a person’s income to see if they should receive further money from the state.
Pernicious-25.10
The idea is pernicious—it’s harmful. In this case, it causes us to think that people could behave in a way that we view as not ideal, that with the introduction of UBI, some people wouldn’t work. It’s a harmful idea because it potentially causes us to view others in a negative light, when in fact, few people would choose not to work.
Fleece the system-25.22
If someone fleeces someone, they take something that isn’t theirs or take advantage of the system and rely on other people’s good will to have a better life without giving anything back. Personally, I believe very few people are out to fleece the system, and in fact, most people want to give back as they feel it gives value and meaning to their lives.
Drudgery- 27.16
Work that is menial or monotonous could also mean drudgery, such as the monotony of navigating the welfare system. UBI would potentially eliminate the need for welfare for some people. It would also mean that people could do fewer hours of menial work.
GDP-29.32
Gross domestic product-monetary value of countries goods and services produced during a given time period.
Asset-35.18
An asset is something of value that a person or organisation owes. It can be a physical object or a place, such as a building.
Windfall-36.22
Money that is received unexpectedly can be something that you are lucky to receive, like a lottery win, or it can be an inheritance when someone unexpectedly dies. The problem with an unexpected sum of money, as opposed to UBI which are regular payments, is that you can’t plan.
Would be interested to hear from you! What are you feelings about UBI? Are there any phrases/words which are new to you that are/aren’t listed?
Rachel Does Interviews 