April 30, at 10:00 am, 3845 North Swan Street  – “Language and Privilege”

Ellen Mana’ar Johnson will talk about language and privilege and how the two interact.

“When we are born, we are born into particular circumstances that we cannot do much about as children. Privilege can be defined as having a special status or receiving special benefits because of who our families are and where we are born. Children acquire their native language without formal lessons just by absorbing the speech of their community, those around them,” Johnson said.

“In a world where some languages are valued more than others, and some ways of speaking are considered bad and wrong, those children who are born into families where the higher status language is spoken have an automatic advantage over others,” she added.

Johnson’s talk centers on the first and second principles of Unitarian Universalism: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; and Justice, equity and compassion in human relations.

Some topics it will cover are dialect, education, and code-switching on an individual level and endangered languages, multilingualism, and language policy on a societal level.

Dr. Ellen Mana'ar Johnson taught linguistics for 20 years at Berry College and the University of Georgia, and she has presented at conferences around the world. Her research specialty is sociolinguistics, especially studying how a person’s gender, ethnicity, region, age, and social class influence their speech. She edited the volume on Language for the Encyclopedia of Southern Culture.

There are speakers on the patio if you wish to enjoy the service outside.

UUFSC Safety Protocol as pursuant to our most recent UUA Guidelines:

Masks are now optional, but their use is encouraged. We will continue to serve refreshments on the patio and in the building. Visitors are always welcome.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City is a diverse group of religious independents seeking knowledge, spiritual sustenance, fellowship and opportunities for service to others. Our programs encompass Humanism, liberal Christianity, earth-based spirituality, Buddhism and many other traditions. If you’d like to find out more, email uufellowshipofsilvercity@gmail.com, visit our website at www.uufsc.com or visit us on Facebook at Unitarian-Universalist-Fellowship-of-Silver-City.