Standardised English is important, but how do we encourage students with diverse language backgrounds?

One answer is translanguaging, and it’s supposed to be a step above code-switching. But what does it look like in class?

Daniel, Ben, and Hedvig are talking to applied linguist Rhonda Oliver on this episode of Talk the Talk.


Listen to this episode

Download this episode

You can listen to all the episodes of Talk the Talk by pasting this URL into your podlistener.

http://danielmidgley.com/talkthetalk/talk_classic.xml

Promo

Promo with Rewi Lyall, 2018-05-08: Faux amis

Daniel tests Rewi’s knowledge of French cognates with these pairs of words that seem temptingly similar, but which mean different things.

Also at https://www.patreon.com/posts/18674261


Full interview

Interview with Rhonda Oliver (complete)

Here’s the full audio of Daniel talking with Rhonda Oliver about translanguaging, and how teachers can use the unique language knowledge that students bring to class with them, in order to augment and not ignore their existing language understanding.

Part of this audio will feature in our next episode, but you can hear the whole thing now. Thanks to Rhonda Oliver for a great discussion.

Also at https://www.patreon.com/posts/18657523


Cutting Room Floor

Cutting Room Floor 324: Translanguaging

Bonus news item! Quebec’s language authority goes permissive on the gender of ‘trampoline’. 

Bonus game! Daniel tests Ben and Hedvig over French false cognates — or ‘faux amis’. And Daniel tells about linguistic play among LDS missionaries.

And Hedvig gets the final word: Language is non-consensual telepathy.

Also at https://www.patreon.com/posts/18696101


Patreon supporters

We’re very grateful for the support from our burgeoning community of patrons, including

  • Jerry
  • Termy
  • Helen
  • Jack
  • Matt

You’re helping us to keep the talk happening!

We’re Because Language now, and you can become a Patreon supporter!
Depending on your level, you can get bonus episodes, mailouts, shoutouts, come to live episodes, and of course have membership in our Discord community.

Become a Patron!

Show notes

Can genes change the way languages evolve?
https://qz.com/1264305/can-genes-change-the-way-languages-evolve/

Worldwide distribution of the DCDC2 READ1 regulatory element and its relationship with phoneme variation across languages
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2018/04/10/1710472115

Quebec language agency rules on the gender of ‘trampoline’
http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/no-more-bouncing-around-quebec-language-agency-rules-on-the-gender-of-trampoline

Professor Rhonda Oliver
https://staffportal.curtin.edu.au/staff/profile/view/Rhonda.Oliver

Translanguaging: Recognising, valuing and celebrating Aboriginal students’ language backgrounds in teaching and learning
http://news.curtin.edu.au/events/translanguaging/

Translanguaging on Facebook: Exploring Australian Aboriginal Multilingual Competence in Technology-Enhanced Environments and Its Pedagogical Implications
https://utpjournals.press/doi/abs/10.3138/cmlr.3890

French President Emmanuel Macron accidentally calls Aussie PM’s wife ‘delicious’
https://twitter.com/i/moments/991535873362575360

Translational faux-ami leads to diplomatic faux-pas: Macron calls Turnbull’s wife “delicious,” false friend of the French “delicieux” (“lovely, delightful”) https://t.co/0UPfEaT1VS

— Ben Zimmer (@bgzimmer) 2 May 2018

No harm done as Australia responds to Macron’s ‘delicious’ faux pas
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-australia-france/no-harm-done-as-australia-responds-to-macrons-delicious-faux-pas-idUSKBN1I40A4

French Language – Faux Amis
https://blogs.transparent.com/french/french-language-faux-amis/

20 Common French False Friends to Watch Out For
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/french/faux-amis-french-false-friends-cognates/

Federal Member for Perth Tim Hammond quits politics for family, triggering WA by-election
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-02/member-for-perth-tim-hammond-resigns-from-politics/9718606

Canned Phrases for Making an Exit
https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/23/business/23family.html

What Resigning to ‘Spend More Time With Family’ Really Means
https://patch.com/virginia/oakton/what-resigning-to-spend-more-time-with-family-really-means_cfa81096

How to be resigned to your fate
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/how-to-be-resigned-to-your-fate-1560018.html

This High School Put Up “Modesty Poncho” Displays To Encourage Teens To Follow Dress Code For Prom
https://www.buzzfeed.com/remysmidt/dress-code-modesty-poncho-dearborn-michigan-catholic-school

School Hangs Up ‘Modesty Ponchos’ To Ensure Students Abide By Prom Dress Code
https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/school-hangs-up-modesty-ponchos-to-ensure-students-abide-by-prom-dress-code_us_5ae9b0b0e4b022f71a03b752

School backs off plans for ‘modesty ponchos’ at prom
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/05/01/modesty-ponchos-prom/568491002/


Transcript

We’re working our way back through the archives. If you think we should prioritise a transcript of this episode, let us know!