Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere

Heather Burnett (Laboratoire de Linguistique Formelle, CNRS et Université de Paris 7)

Historically, the use of a common language has been considered a unifying factor among speakers; interlocutors who are able to communicate with one another in the same language run fewer risks of losing information in translation, and often share social and cultural references that are transmitted through language. However, language can also be used to determine in- vs. out-groups, to establish power dynamics, and to expand or limit one’s role in society in a variety of ways, including terms used to indicate which professions are open to whom, according to gender, background or social status. Despite the presence of formal language policies governing language use, linguists observe that actual language practice frequently follows a different rule system conventionalized within the community. In their talks, Dr. Yulia Bosworth (SUNY – Binghamton) and Dr. Heather Burnett (CNRS, Université de Paris-7) will examine the role of gender in the French language, and its impact on inclusivity within Francophone university settings.

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