Lights, Camera, Language Film Series: Talking Black in America

As part of the Lights, Camera, Language Film series.

Films can help us grapple with complex social and scientific phenomena. The "Lights, Camera, Language" series, hosted by the Language Diversity Ambassadors, explores modern films and documentaries which take a close look at concepts related to language. Films cover a wide range of topics, from dialects and accents, to the way we understand the world, to social scientific research and beyond.

This semester, "Lights, Camera, Language" hones in on the relationships between language and culture. Talking Black in America (2017) follows the unique story of one of the most misunderstood and marginalized dialects in the United States. Speech varieties from the African American community reflect a rich history reaching back to pre-colonial African languages, and reflecting the influence of Southern and British Englishes. Talking Black in America tells a human story of oppression, creativity, and resilience.

We will be joined by the documentary's executive producer and William C. Friday Distinguished University Professor of English Walt Wolfram, as well as producers Neal Hutcheson and Danica Cullinan and audio specialist Marissa Morgan, who will provide a discussion and Q&A.