Book Club - "The Power of Language: Multilingualism, Self and Society" by Marian

How do the languages we speak affect our self-perception, the world around us, and the way we think?

Learning a new language opens "doors to new experiences and knowledge. We come to see the world differently, and our brains are transformed as a result," the author begins his book, taking us on a journey to uncover language's transformative impact on identity and community.

Merging insights from sociolinguistics, cultural studies, and personal narrative, the author challenges us to consider language as not just a tool for communication, but as a force that shapes our perceptions, fosters empathy, and builds connections in an increasingly diverse world.

• Genres: Non-fiction, Sociology, Linguistics, Cultural Studies.
• Pages: 320, paperback.

Looking forward to a stimulating discussion on the power of language to transform self and society, and share insights that spark both personal growth and collective understanding!

📜 To foster a fruitful, respectful, and inspiring conversation together, please be mindful of the following ground rules:

• Attendance at the book club requires reading the entire book before the meeting. Online summaries or cover descriptions do not count as reading the book.
• Listen respectfully, without interrupting.
• Listen actively and with an ear to understanding others' views.
• Comment on ideas, not individuals.
• Focus on learning rather than debating. The goal is not to find agreement, but to gain insights from the diverse perspectives we each bring to the table. Comment in order to share information, not to persuade.
• Avoid blame, speculation, and inflammatory language.
• Allow everyone the chance to speak.
• Avoid no-shows and last-minute drop-outs to ensure fairness to those on the waitlist and the organizer. Be advised that a no-show or a drop-out may result in your exclusion from the next meetup.
• Refrain from attending the event if you're not on the attendee list. This ensures fairness to those on the waitlist and helps the organizer.
• Be mindful and present during the discussion. Avoid using your phone; after all, the beauty lies in face-to-face social interaction.

🚫 Zero Tolerance Policy: Harassment or insults of any kind - whether during in-person meetups or online - towards members' culture, religion, profession or identity will result in an immediate ban. Mutual respect is non-negotiable; violations will be acted upon without further discussion.

💰 Organisation Fees: Minimum donation of €5.