Celebrating International Mother Language Day: Heritage Languages in the USA

In Celebration of International Mother Language Day, our Applied Linguistics Brownbag series at the University of Texas, San Antonio last Friday focussed on Heritage Langauges in the USA. Below is the text of the flyer. We had a great turn out, and even had to bring in additional chairs. It was great to see not only faculty and graduate students from our Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies, but also colleagues from other departments and colleges.

Dr. Francis Hult has organized a working group of UTSA faculty from across the campus to plan additional events throughout the year to celebrate 2008 as the International Year of Languages. Information about these events will be posted on this blog.

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Applied Linguistics Brownbag Series
Celebrating International Mother Language Day:
Heritage Languages in the USA

February 15
12:00-1:30pm
Main Building 2.220

International Mother Language Day was first proclaimed by UNESCO's General Conference in 1999, with the aim of focusing attention on the importance of individuals' mother tongues for their social and cultural development. Mother Language Day takes on special significance this year, as the United Nations has proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages. Activities will be taking place throughout the year at institutions worldwide in order to raise awareness about relationships between global linguistic diversity and cultural heritage.
The Applied Linguistics Brownbag Series celebrates International Mother Language Day and the start of the International Year of Languages with a special brownbag on the topic of heritage languages in US contexts.

PROGRAM

Introduction: International Mother Language Day and the International Year of Languages
Francis M. Hult, Assistant Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies

"Heritage Language Learning and Ideologies of Pre-service Latina/o Bilingual Teachers in Texas"
Lucila Ek, Assistant Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies

"Heritage Language Learning in the USA - The Case of Khmer"
Wayne E. Wright, Assistant Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies