September 21, 2006 Source: :
http://www.news.utoronto.ca/bin6/060921-2577.asp Year of Languages kicks off 2006-07 a celebration of importance in education, research and the global community
Sep 21/06
by Sean Bettam Attention! Atención! Achtung! The Faculty of Arts and Science will be kicking off the Year of Languages 2006-2007 Sept. 21, with a lecture by Ato Quayson, professor of English and director of the Centre for Diaspora and Transnational Studies. The lecture, entitled The Interpreter’s Maladies: Culture, Gender and Race in 16th Century Colonial South Africa is just the beginning of what’s being planned to celebrate languages all year long at the University of Toronto. The Faculty of Arts and Science has designated the Year of Languages 2006-2007 as a way to recognize the importance of languages in education, research and cross-cultural engagement as well as the broad range of study opportunities in more than 40 languages at U of T. In celebration, a number of exciting events devoted to languages will be presented by various departments and programs throughout the academic year. "Our students come to us because they expect an international education that will prepare them to actively engage as global citizens," said Professor Pekka Sinervo, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science. "In addition to benefiting from people from many cultures who call Toronto home, U of T students can take advantage of study abroad and student exchange programs and a curriculum that covers the world." The Faculty of Arts and Science offers teaching in more languages than any other university on Canada, including a number of which are rarely taught in North America. "I am particularly proud that we are hosting the Year of Languages," Sinervo said. "This is a great chance to share some of this excitement with the wider community." Professor Christina Kramer Slavic languages and literatures exemplifies what U of T’s language programs have to offer. "I love teaching language courses. The classes are small so I get to know students well," she said. "We speak and write to one another in a new language, discuss nuances of meaning and begin, together, to discover a new culture and the pleasure of reading great works of literature in the original language." No matter what the motivation is for beginning study, all students of language discover new ways in which languages work, different ways of expressing ideas and an appreciation of the difficulties inherent in learning a new vocabulary and grammar. More than 20 departments, programs and research centres in arts and science will be hosting events that include lectures, workshops and conferences. In addition, the faculty will present a film festival focusing on cross-cultural integration, language and identity across modern Europe from Oct. 2 to 7 and a symposium on language teaching and learning at the end of January. Full details about all events can be found at www.artsci.utoronto.ca/languages or by calling 416-946-7950. Ato Quayson’s lecture is the first in a series of six that will be presented throughout the Year of Languages. It takes place at the George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire Place, Thursday, Sept. 21, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Admission is free with general seating.
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