Never let a good crisis go to waste: A symposium on Language and Crisis

This event consists of a series of roundtable discussions from academics across the Faculty of Arts at the University of Canterbury to discuss what is at stake when we consider the intersection of ‘crisis’ and ‘language.’

At its very root, the word ‘crisis’ indicates a turning point and a decision. Not all crises are therefore inherently bad, and yet the term is rarely shrouded in positivity. In a post-truth era; as we explore the use and limits of AI; as we further communicate through the semiotics of emojis; and as teeter-tottering governments modify language policies, we must ask: is language—and are languages—in crisis? And if so, what decisions can be made?

Please join us as we explore the opportunistic elements present in ‘crisis’ alongside and against language(s), with attention paid to topics such as: the vitality and revitalization of languages in and beyond Aotearoa; language practice and policies; as well as new technologies. 

Programme:

9:00 Welcome

9:15 – 10:30 Roundtable 1:  Language Learning – Reo Experiences         

          Teena Henderson (Aotahi)

          Enrica Sciarrino (Classics)

          Kevin Watson (Arts)

          Wladimir Padilla (GCLS)

          Christopher Thomson (English, ADL)

10:30 – 10:45 Morning Tea

10:45 – 11:45 Roundtable 2: Keeping it together in times of crisis: Language and (Interpreting) Emotions

          Susan Bouterey (GCLS)

          Lauren Millar (Linguistics)

          Wei Teng (GCLS)

11:45 – 12:45 Roundtable 3: The limits of language

          Victoria Escaip (GCLS)

          Alistair Swale (GCLS)

          Cindy Zeiher (Human Services)

          Vana Manasiadis (English and Creative Writing)

12:45 Catered Lunch