Daniel Calvert

Swahili? Mandarin? The UK is increasingly multilingual – yet our politicians won’t talk about it | Laura Spinney Even the census ignores them, but multilinguals could hold the key to Britain’s social and economic future, says science journalist Laura Spinney

Asking, “What is your main language?” is like asking the parent of several children, “Which is your main child?”
On the untapped benefits of linguistic diversity in the UK:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

You can't talk about Western civilisation and it's rise in the industrial age without linking it to #colonialism. Not teaching it doesn't mean it didn't happen.

#DecolonisetheCurriculum

I really enjoyed presenting at the British Academy conference on #LinguisticInjustice and got to meet brilliant colleagues like @savithry.bsky.social. Savi's ROLE Collective have produced handy resources for researchers to reflect on unhelpful labels like "native speaker"
www.rolecollective.org/home

So much news is coming out the US, it's easy to miss that English has been designated the country's "official language". Not only does this appear to go against civil rights law, it will likely harm integration and social outcomes for minoritised groups #languagerights
www.tesol.org/news/tesol-s...

Maybe no hope, but at least we've got resistance!

The excuses that Google give for why they're doing it speaks volumes about the cultural shift they're caving into, doesn't it?

@urbaneprofessor.bsky.social

Another month, another creative exhibition launch from the team at Migrant Voice Glasgow: "Ye Awright Pal?" - an immersive gallery of drawings made by people (including me!) who have moved to Scotland. @migrantvoice.bsky.social
https://buff.ly/3WC34FU

As I go through my data, I see how people from different walks of life find a way through everyday interactions, often humorously:

"How many clients are you seeing today?"
"Only three clients. I think the rain's put people off."
"Sorry, did you say Lorraine's put them off?"
"No, the rain."

😅

Data and Art: A multidisciplinary approach - Online Course - FutureLearn Explore the journey from data analysis to artistic creation. Join our course to innovate research in migration studies through interdisciplinary approaches.

Here's an exciting new online course on research methods for creative arts and migration studies from @uofgunescorila.bsky.social: https://buff.ly/3E1P55E

There's also a week left to submit a proposal for the UNESCO RIELA Spring School in May, always a highlight of my year: https://buff.ly/4h2cNNM

How to help learners connect with complex histories It is important to empower pupils to explore history through personal narratives, while also enhancing their critical thinking, empathy and communication skills, says Nuzhat Uthmani

Delighted to have played a small part in supporting the amazing project that is tapeletters.com/scotland/. Charting the oral histories of 🇵🇰 migrant communities to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 post partition in 1947. The teaching resource I've developed will launch next week but u can read abt it 👇🏽

www.tes.com/magazine/tea...

Whiteness, Accents, and Children’s Media In this episode of the Language on the Move podcast, Brynn Quick speaks with Dr. Laura Smith-Khan about language and accents in children’s media, from Octonauts to Disney to Bluey, and they investi…

Just in for the hols: @brynnquick.bsky.social chats with @lauraskh.bsky.social about accents in the media, race, nation, migration, securitization, belonging, and more, in this new episode of the Language-on-the-Move Podcast @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social
www.languageonthemove.com/whiteness-ac...

Yes, it's addictive stuff! I'm starting to question the unconscious bias of some of the contestants, but that makes it even more of a discussable topic 😆

Developing a Critical Pedagogy of Migration Studies by Teresa Piacentini The book grapples with the ethical and political dilemmas of teaching migration in polarized, politically charged times.

I'm looking forward to sharing some of my ethnographic findings at the Citizenship and Migration Research Network on 6th February. The keynote talk of the conference is open to all: buff.ly/403YGAi
@teresap.bsky.social

Join MPS Migrant LEx Panel!

Me too!

Climate and Nature Bill Campaign Ask your MP to back the CAN Bill

I'm a big supporter of the Climate and Nature Bill campaign. Please consider signing up and writing to your MP before the bill has its second reading on 24 January - action.zerohour.uk

At the launch of Outside In, the brilliant photography exhibition exploring how migration has brought the world to Scotland. It's available online and you can see the real thing at Maryhill Burgh Halls in Glasgow: https://buff.ly/4gttdxU @migrantvoice.bsky.social (photo: Anna Majewska)

Linguistic Injustice and Inequality in the Public Domain Most of the world is multilingual. Despite this, in most countries a monolingual bias still persists, meaning that monolingualism is often viewed as the norm and the most efficient service method. However, because of monolingual language laws, many individuals and communities face significant challenges in accessing resources and services. This is the case across a range of domains, including education, health and care, political life, the criminal legal system, and the labour market. Bringing together interdisciplinary experts and focussing on linguistic justice and inequality, this conference will examine how individuals and communities experience discrimination due to their language use. This conference will also explore the practical steps that must be taken to move towards linguistic justice and the provision of fair systems and services in the public domain.

I'm excited to be presenting my research at the 2025 British Academy conference on #LinguisticInjustice. Online tickets are free, so come and join me! @britishacademy.bsky.social

Yesterday was strategy day @seinglasgow, where I'm a trustee. We developed our goals for the coming 3 years, amplifying the voices of community members across southeast Glasgow in support of integration, equality and an anti-racist future. Plus we ate an entire tableful of snacks. Job done 😋

The skies parted this morning for STUC's #antiracist rally 🌈 #ayestand #togetherwithrefugees

Man up? How positive action can beat online misogyny Join The Ferret and our panel of experts as we discuss the impact of online misogyny on young people, and look at how it can be tackled

Join 👇in Glasgow next week, tickets still available. The reality of growing levels of #misogyny should cause us all a lot of concern, since even young boys are being influenced negatively. Join @talatyaqoob.bsky.social as she chairs this important event.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/man-up-how...

Ask your MSP to support the Ecocide Bill Just 18 MSPs need to back the Ecocide Bill for it to proceed in the Scottish Parliament.

We can help protect the environment in Scotland and deter polluters by making ecocide a crime. Take action now by asking your MSPs to back the #EcocideLaw. party.coop/ecocidebill?...