Language Understanding for Pride and Action

I started LPC (Language Policy Consulting) with the intention of “demystifying conversations around language attitude and language policies”. However, while working on LPC content, the voice was more academic than intended and the tone was becoming more and more serious. Since one of my core values is JOY, we had a problem. Also, with all due respect to the academic writing world, I want conversations around language awareness to be as accessible as possible so that we can have them more regularly. So, back to the drawing board.

I still believe we need to think about how language is being used to make or limit spaces for ourselves and others. But with LUPA (Language Understanding for Pride and Action) Talks, I want to explore how we can understand more about language to help us feel proud of our language abilities. Moving forward here is what you can expect:

1. Exploring Language Beliefs

The attitudes we have about how we communicate, how others communicate, and the “right” way to communicate tell us a lot about what we value. Why is it that we think certain ways of speaking are “more or less professional”? I want us to think about our language beliefs so we can make conscious choices about how we communicate and be proud of the language skills we have.

2. Sharing Language Stories

Language is innate. We all have experience using language and many of us even have developed the unique skill of balancing multiple languages in our brilliant brains. Sharing our language stories helps us to see the universal experience within each individual journey.

3. Questioning Language

Outside of a language learning classroom we rarely stop to think about why it is that we communicate in the way that we do. As children we are filled with questions and if you’re learning a new language you feel comfortable asking “why it is that something is conjugated this way” or “where does this expression come from”. But as adults we often take for granted the awareness that we can create if we begin to ask questions.

4. Reflections for Listeners

Communication is a two (or more) way process! Part of the process is to think about the messages we deliver. Still, it is just as important to think about the messages we are receiving and WHY we feel positively, negatively, or nothing at all. Why do we hear someone with an accent that reminds us of our family/culture and you get excited or nervous? Why is it that when someone uses a curse word in a language you don’t understand, it doesn’t affect you? But if someone insults you in a language you do understand it provokes rage…?

5. Questions You May Have

If there is anything that you would like to explore along these (language-related) lines, feel free to share and we can do so together.

Let’s start looking at everyday experiences through the lens of language.

Dr. Xiomara Rivera Pagán