Aberystwyth University at the National Eisteddfod - Thursday

06 August 2015

Today at the Aberystwyth University stall, visitors can enjoy ‘Talwrn y Trosiadau’, listen to a discussion on language policy and planning, and learn about Dr Lucy Taylor’s research on the Welsh and the native population of Patagonia.

11am
Translation Tournament
The opening event at the University’s stall on Thursday will be ‘Talwrn y Trosiadau’ at 11.00am.  A panel of advocates from the University will discuss the best translations between Welsh and other languages.  Come to see and decide for yourself who deserves to be declared the “Champion of the Translations”.

1pm
Language Planning and Policy on the latest research and teaching plans at Aberystwyth
At 1.00pm staff from the Department of International Politics will hold a discussion on language policy and planning at Aberystwyth University.  This promises to be an interesting and pertinent discussion on the future of the Welsh language.

During the meeting there will be an opportunity to hear short presentations on some of the exciting research projects currently being undertaken on language policy and planning by the staff of the department, including:

  • Dr Catrin Edwards discussing methods of integrating immigrants into minority language communities.
  • Dr Andrew Davies who is studying students’ attitudes towards studying through the medium of Welsh in post-statutory education.
  • Research by Dr Huw Lewis and Dr Elin Royles who are analysing language restoration strategies during a period of societal change.

Additionally, there will be an opportunity to learn about Aberystwyth University’s pioneering professional development courses, which will be offered for the first time in October 2015.

2.30pm
Encounter in Patagonia: the Welsh and the Indigenous, 1865-1885
At 2.30pm there will be an opportunity to hear Dr Lucy Taylor from the Department of International Politics discussing her research into the relationship between the Welsh migrants and the native population of Patagonia.

Dr Taylor’s research has transformed the understanding of the effects of the Welsh migration on the native people, by considering the Welsh settlement in the wider context of Argentinian colonial expansion. 

“What we find is a complex picture of vulnerable people, of dependence, trade, respect and friendship”, said Dr Taylor, “but placed within the dominant ideologies of the nineteenth century; imperialism and racial prejudice. In this context, while the Welsh settlers were subjugated to imperialism back home in Wales, where their language and culture was derided, they themselves were agents of colonization in Argentina.”

For a full programme of events at the Aberystwyth University stall at the Montgomeryshire and the Marches National Eisteddfod 2015 click here.

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