International Mother Language Day
Department of English in collaboration with Lexicon Language Club, Patna Women’s College organised an insightful seminar on the role of language in shaping cultural perceptions, featuring renowned linguist and cross-cultural studies expert Dr. Bairam Khan. The event was conducted by Dr. Sahar Rahman, HOD of the Department of English, and Dr. Devina Krishna, Coordinator of the Lexicon Language Club, and PG students Swati Alice Clifton, Mouli Pulak, Saanvi and Shruti Singh.
The thrust of the programme was on the profound impact of language on our collective consciousness. This event marked the celebration of International Mother Language Day, by the faculty and students of the department of English.
Dr. Khan’s talk, titled “Metaphorical Mirrors: Language as the Catalyst and Contour of Cultural Bias,” delved into the complexities of multilingualism and the effects of linguistic colonialism. He discussed how languages such as Sanskrit, Hindi, and Urdu are crucial to preserving cultural identity, citing examples like “Yog” becoming “Yoga” and “Ram” transforming into “Rama,” which he argued strips away the authentic meanings embedded in these words. Dr. Khan emphasized that we lose our cognitive connection to our mother tongue by adopting Westernized linguistic terms.
A highlight of the seminar was an engaging translation exercise, where Dr. Khan used a QR code to demonstrate how metaphors function as mirrors of culture. He explained various forms of bias through metaphors, including ableist, ageist, classist, ethnicist, and sexist perspectives. Drawing on theories from Aristotle, I.A. Richards, George Lakoff, and Mark Johnson, Dr. Khan affirmed that “Language is the most powerful weapon.”
The event concluded with an exciting Q&A session, during which attendees shared personal experiences regarding the intersection of language, culture, and identity. Dr. Khan’s interactive and thought-provoking approach left a lasting impression on the participants.
