A conference cutting across languages,cultures

Over 80 Masters,PhD and Diploma in German students have registered for the conference. “It is literature which connects us to Europe. The conference has speakers across genres like politics,philosophy,film,theatre and more,” says Manjari Paranjape,head of department,German section,Ranade Institute.

The guest speakers from Germany and Austria are thrilled to indulge in and learn about the rich cultural heritage of India while sharing their own culture and interacting with the students in their language. “Ours is a small country with only seven-eight minorities who speak different languages. I feel it is important to speak at least three languages — one’s mother tongue,a neighbouring country’s language and English which is now the lingua franca of the world,” says Seidler Andrea,dean,Faculty of Theological and Cultural Studies,Vienna.

For Manfred Stassen,a German professor who was born in Germany,lives in France and teaches in the US,multilingualism does not qualify as an appropriate term. “All ‘ism’s are used for ideas and theories but ‘ality’ is used for the ability to do the action. I believe in ‘multilinguality’,” he says. Stassen will give a talk on the language,politics and the issue of national identity on Friday.