Constructed Language Lectures at The University of Adelaide

I'm having a fantastic time with linguistics students at The University of Adelaide lecturing about the exciting world of Constructed languages.

The two-hour lecture investigates languages created for the entertainment industry, Constructed languages (Conlangs).The lecture analyses constructed languages. It classifies them into Auxiliary Languages (Auxlangs), such as Esperanto, Ido and Volapük, and Artistically-constructed Languages (Artlangs), such as Klingon, Quenya, High Valyrian, and Dothraki, providing basic knowledge in a language such as greetings; introduction, emotion, and a farewell; a unique characteristic; the influence of the language family on global society and information about where it might be possible to continue to learn one of more than 450 Constructed languages in Australia or online.

Thanks to Dr Eve Afifa Kheir | Faculty of Arts, Business & Economics, The University of Adelaide, for including me in the program of lectures.

A vibrant linguistic presentation at State Library of South Australia

I had a great time with the audience discussing the use of language in science fiction and fantasy literature.

I delved into language root stems and etymology during the Q & A session post-presentation with a most-receptive and enthusiastic audience!

On the road again!

Capricon Pop Culture Convention, Rockhampton North Queensland, August 27

I had a great time with the audience at Capricon Pop Culture Convention in Rockhampton, North Queensland, during my linguistic presentation about languages created for the tv and film industry!

Included in this leg of the tour was a constructed language keynote to pop culture fans and language enthusiasts about languages explicitly created for the TV and film industry, for example; the Klingon language; where it is spoken and to which language family it belongs, number of speakers and percentage of children speaking it; basic knowledge in a language such as greetings; unique characteristics; and information about where it might be possible to continue to learn the language in Australia or online.

The constructed language presentation was a hit with the audience with plenty of interaction during the post-presentation Q&A!

My second presentation at CapriCon Rockhampton investigated the 'Politics of Tintin,' specifically the linguistic context, stereotypes, representations, and controversies in the early Tintin albums and period children's storybook adventures.  

Special thanks to the audiences attending both presentations!

During the convention the first stage of marketing and promoting my exciting bilingual storybook adventure, The Adventures of Paris and Freddie, was undertaken. The adventure is written in the French and English languages, and set in the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia! 

I look forward to engaging with audiences during the next legs of the tour in Sydney, Adelaide, and Melbourne!

Guest MC at the Adelaide opening night event of Thor, Love and Thunder!

I had ball as MC hosting the opening night event of Thor, Love and Thunder at the Palace Eastend Cinema tonight!

During the pre-screening presentation, I included a history of the character since its inception 60 years ago and insight into the Asgardian language spoken by Thor.

Appreciative thanks to the Palace Eastend Cinema for the booking, and to Greenlight Comics for their groovy prize packs given to two lucky winners during the presentation!

I look forward to the next stage of my speaking tour!

Time to Inspire!

Appreciative thanks to Professor Ghil'ad Zuckermann of the University of Adelaide for including me as a lecturer on the topic, Revivalistics, semester one 2022.

The course explores Revivalistics, a new trans-disciplinary field of enquiry surrounding language reclamation, revitalization and reinvigoration. It studies comparatively and systematically the universal constraints and global mechanisms on the one hand, and local peculiarities and idiosyncrasies on the other hand, apparent in revival attempts across various sociological backgrounds, all over the world.

Today’s lecture presented the outcomes of a recent field trip designed to immerse children in Barngarla, an Indigenous Australian language undergoing revival after generations of dormancy. This initiative forms part of the trilingual linguistic program I coordinate at an educational centre in Adelaide’s northern suburbs, which integrates Barngarla alongside French and English. The project highlights the importance of experiential learning in language reclamation, encouraging cultural connection and linguistic renewal.

In an Australian first, the children travelled to Port Lincoln in the Eyre Peninsula region of South Australia to undertake a cross-cultural exchange with the Barngarla People.