Virtual Harper Lecture: The Russian Language Empire, with Lenore A. Grenoble

Spring Harper Lecture #2: Lenore A. Grenoble
Virtual Harper Lecture: The Russian Language Empire

Faculty Lecturer: Lenore A. Grenoble
Moderator: Jessica Kantarovich, PhD’20
Special Guest Commentator: Lauren Cecchini, AB’22

National and linguistic issues are intertwined. How would a linguist contextualize the conflict between Russia and Ukraine? A key piece of this context is the history that Russian president Vladimir Putin invoked in his long report to the Russian people when he justified the “special operation” at its beginning. Lenore A. Grenoble provides a linguist’s view of an international crisis.

Part of the UChicago Alumni and Friends Harper Lecture Spring 2022 Series. Originally broadcast on May 25, 2022

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[solgato]

glad we're acknowledging the link between language and empire

[Роман-тты]

Thank you for the lecture! That was interesting and reliable information. As a person from Donbass, who speaks Russian (I'm 24 y.o) I define myself as a Ukrainian. But nevertheless of today's situation, I will not stop speaking Russian because I consider it my native language(I speak Ukrainian as well).
A strong sense of Ukrainian identity woke up after 2014th. Which was part of government's agenda. But as you mentioned in the video ( language could be used to identify who you support) which in my opinion is wrong.
And about Russia launched an attack on Odessa, I don't recall it. But remember 2nd of May 2014. That should symbolize "Ukrainian unity".

[cfcnyc]

Thank you. I certainly concur with the linguistic differences in Russian as it is spoken in Brighton Beach as opposed to what I'd hear and speak on the streets of Saint Petersburg. Re: the effectiveness of the 2019 law- with Ukraine's proximity to Russia compared with a similar law enacted in Kazakhstan several years earlier.

[TS-mcwh]

Very informative lecture, thanks a lot ! Lecturer for great work. I liked the lecture 🙂