Words Matter: Language and inclusive spaces
Event details
Why does the way we speak matter? Join us for a panel discussion as we explain and illustrate why language - and the analysis of language - is crucial to creating inclusive spaces for diverse populations. We explore how challenging and offering alternative language practices can be an effective way of achieving more inclusive spaces which value diversity and support positive social change.
Drawing on the work of York St John University’s Centre for Language and Social Justice Research, panel contributors discuss how applied linguistics plays a key role in understanding how to create spaces which feel inclusive to those who inhabit them. Each panel contributor provides concrete examples from their own research of inclusive language practices and explains how such practices promote and enhance inclusive spaces. The spaces discussed include schools, universities, business and workplaces as well as social media and online spaces. Dimensions of inclusion covered in the panel include gender, sexual orientation, language background, dis/ability and race.
Alongside the panel discussion will be a display of posters illustrating some of the inclusive language practices covered in the discussion.
This event is presented by the Centre for Language and Social Justice Research at York St John University.
Image credit: Pixabay/Lisa Runnels
About the speakers
Daniel Edmondson is a Lecturer in the Centre for Language and Social Justice Research, York St John University where he is a sociolinguist and psycholinguist with a particular interest in the reclamation of slur words within the LGBTQ+ community, and effects of the same on emotional language processing.
Clare Cunningham is an Associate Professor in the Centre for Language and Social Justice Research, York St John University where her research interests lie along two social justice-oriented strands, exploring teachers’ attitudes, beliefs and knowledge about multilingualism, and investigating the discourses of young people about the environment and climate change, through qualitative research and econarratives.
Helen Sauntson is a Professor within the Centre for Language and Social Justice Research, York St John University and her research interests and extensive publications are predominantly situated in the areas of classroom discourse analysis; language, gender and sexuality; language in education; and gender and sexuality in education.
Kyoungmi Kim is a Senior Lecturer in Korean and Linguistics. Her research centres on institutional and professional discourses within multilingual and multinational contexts, including computer-mediated communication, exploring how professional identities and power relations are constructed and negotiated through language.
Chisato Danjo is a Senior Lecturer in Japanese and Linguistics. Her research focuses on multilingualism, family language planning and maintenance, and language issues relating to culture and identity. She is also interested in the practical application of plurilithic concept of language (eg idiolectal repertoire and translanguaging/languaging) into Japanese language education.
Partners
