A new season of podcasts from the Language Resource Center (LRC) celebrates 2019 as the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Languages. The global celebration kicked off with a seminar in New York City Feb. 1, showcasing the world’s ancient tongues and highlighting the need to conserve, revitalize and promote them.
The first episode of this season’s Speaking of Language podcast by the LRC features Jolene Rickard (Tuscarora), director of Cornell’s American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program and associate professor of history of art. She talks about the United Nations celebration and the benefits of honoring and learning about the language and culture of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas and the world.
“Raising awareness about indigenous languages and the need to preserve and revitalize them is crucial,” said Angelika Kraemer, director of the Language Resource Center. “The LRC’s small contribution to this effort is to begin our 2019 podcast season highlighting the UN International Year of Indigenous Languages.”
Rickard attended the opening reception of the UN event, which featured an opening address by Kanen'tó:kon Hemlock, Kahnaw'a:ke Mohawk Nation (Quebec, Canada), who Rickard has invited to campus Feb. 21 to speak to her class.
The Speaking of Language podcast shares information about language learning and instruction. Each episode is hosted by a member of the LRC staff in conversation with various members of the language learning community.
“Our episodes feature interesting and helpful information about the intersection of language learning and pedagogy, while also spreading the word about the work that we do at the LRC and about other global units across campus,” Kraemer said.
The Language Resource Center at Cornell is a unit in the College of Arts & Sciences and a hub for language innovation and collaboration. Its mission is to connect, support, and empower language learners and teachers. The LRC provides flexible physical and virtual spaces, facilitates access to resources, and advocates best practices. The LRC vision is to raise awareness of the value of language learning, leverage technology in service of cultural and social experiences, and grow the language community within and beyond Cornell.
“We have a broad array of speakers lined up for this podcast season to highlight the important work related to language learning and teaching on campus and in the community,” Kraemer said.
Yvette Lisa Ndlovu is a communications assistant for the College of Arts & Sciences.
