Thinking and languages are co-constitutive, one shapes the other. However, too often we are not aware of the racial and colonial baggage of the language we use. Thinking about language(s) is particularly important for us as academics, as words are not only the final outcome of the work we invest into our projects, but also shape our work. Attention to language is especially important here at the EUI, a multilingual institution where research is carried out in scholars’ native and non-native languages.
This is the second session of a workshop in three parts taking place during three half days (23 May pm, 24 May am, 7 June pm). Participants are not obliged but highly encouraged to register to all sessions. One registration per session is required. This is an in person event with limited seats. If you have registered and are not able to attend, please cancel you registration or write to the organizers to let them know.
The keynote speeches of the workshop are open to online participation via Zoom (see the programme for details). In case you would like to attend them online, the Zoom link to each keynote speech is provided in the registration e-mail for each workshop day. You can contact the workshop organizers for additional information.
PROGRAMME DAY 2 - 24 MAY - How to talk about race? Racial terminology in everyday and academic writing
In everyday speech and writing, despite good intentions, we might use inappropriate, offensive, or hurtful terminologies without taking note and reflecting on their racial implications. This part of the workshop will address the issue of racial language on two levels. A keynote presentation will discuss how colonial discourses of race persist, change, and fashion the politics of race in Europe; in particular, it will examine the contemporary language of ethnicity and discourse of racism in the context of the war in the war in Ukraine and the experiences of Black and Brown people fleeing the war to Poland and beyond.
We will also provide questions and suggestions for discussion in small groups in order to stimulate a debate and to compare practices and values. The idea is to use everyone´s experience and thoughts to address real life problems of research writing: which terminology is inclusive and even reparative?
Margaret Amaka Ohia-Nowak (Tischner European University in Krakow) is a critical linguist, diversity consultant and anti-discrimination trainer who published on race and racism in contemporary public discourse, racist discourse and representations of black ethnic/gender minorities portrayed by media discourse in Poland and CEE.
09.00–09.30 Meet & Greet (Lower Loggia, Badia Fiesolana)
09:30–10:30 World café: terminology for scholars
Discussion of real life terminological problems in research writing with all workshop participants in small-group world café format
Facilitator: Nicola Hargreaves (EUI)
10.30–11.00 Coffee Break
11:00–12:00 Keynote: Racism and discourse in the context of the war in Ukraine
Keynote presentation by Margaret Amaka Ohia-Nowak
Discussant: Anica Waldendorf (EUI) | Chair: Daphné Budasz (EUI)
Open to online participation via Zoom
12.00–12.15 Break
12.15–13.00 Workshop pt II: Round-up and response
Final Summary of results from World café (note-takers from each discussion table)
Respondents: Margaret Amaka Ohia-Nowak & other participants | Chair: Friedrich Ammermann (EUI)