Guest Lecture: The European Mosaic – Language Ideologies in the Shadow of War
Guest Lecture: The European Mosaic – Language Ideologies in the Shadow of War
Date: October 17, 2024
Presenter: Prof. Dr. Alex Krouglov, University College London, UK
On October 17, 2024, Prof. Dr. Alex Krouglov from UCL delivered a compelling guest lecture titled “The European Mosaic: Language Ideologies in the Shadow of War.” Hosted onsite and online, this lecture delved into how language ideologies are influenced by sociopolitical factors, especially amidst Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Prof. Krouglov explored the history of language policy and planning (LPP) across Europe, examining the role of English and other major European languages in the EU and beyond. Drawing on examples from the conflict in Ukraine, he highlighted how language ideologies in a war-torn society both reflect and shape identity and resilience, noting the complexities Ukraine may face in language policy as its goal of EU integration grows nearer.
The lecture also included insights from two online discussants: Prof. Dr. Natalia Kudriavtseva (Kryvy Rih State Pedagogical University and George Washington University) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Olha Shevchuk-Kliuzheva (Borys Hrinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University). Their commentary emphasized the need to assess the progress of decolonization within Ukraine and the potential shifts in language policy the country may encounter in a post-war context.
The hybrid format allowed for active participation from GiZo colleagues and online attendees from Poland, Ukraine, and beyond, facilitating a rich discussion on language’s evolving role in Europe’s sociopolitical landscape.