February 18-28 | Wesleyan University | Fisk Hall
The Fries Center for Global Studies is thrilled to be hosting the eighth annual Power of Language observance! Originally organized as a multi-day conference, POL has since evolved into a week-long series of events organized around International Mother Language Day (2/21), which honors the Bengali Language Movement and all mother languages around the world. At Wes, POL is intended to encourage and honor multilingualism and second language acquisition. This week-long programming will be the fourth annual of its kind, and is supported by the Fries Center for Global Studies, Office of International Students, and Office of Student Academic Resources.
This year, POL will be hosted through Wednesday, February 18th to Saturday, February 28th.
We welcome any all event submissions to showcase the many forms that cross-lingual communication can take, while also highlighting the importance of linguistic empathy in our increasingly multicultural and interconnected community– both on this campus, and in the world. If you're interested submitting an event proposal, visit this link to fill out the form by February 6th!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Amalie Little at alittle@wesleyan.edu.
Schedule of events:
- Wednesday, February 18
- Rangoli: A Language of Celebration 12-1 pm, Fisk 209
A hands-on cultural experience! Join us to explore the vibrant art of Rangoli. Discover how we communciate through color and desing. Create your own beautiful piece and taek it home as a souvenir.
- Talk with Ukrainian MP Tamila Tasheva, 12-1 pm, Fisk 201
Tamila Tasheva, one of the most prominent advocates of the indigenous rights of Crimean Tatars and a Member of the Parliament of Ukraine, will talk about the efforts to protect the heritage and language of the Crimean Tatars that are threatened by the Russian occupation of Crimea, as well as work to provide access to education in Ukrainian to young people from the occupied territories.
- Artolution: Art Through Crisis Opening Keynote, 430-6 pm, Fisk 201
Join organizing artist Max Freider for a keynote address for the opening of Artolution: Art Through Crisis. This exhibit presents a series of interdisciplinary collaborative artworks created across refugee camps and crisis zones from around the world– showcasing the power of art to interweave stories of resistance and resilience.
- Thursday, February 19
- Have You Eaten? And Other Things My Parents Say, Common Vietnamese Phrases 12-1 pm, Fisk 201
Vietnamese phrases our parents/family say carry cultural weight beyond the literal meanings. Join a sharing circle to discuss what phrases from your family mean more than their literal meaning? What phrases/words shaped your childhood? Ăn cơm chưa? Have you eaten? - checking in on you, really meaning "Are you taking care of yourself?" This house is like a hotel! Nhà này như khách sạn vậy! - reminding you to spend more time at home Asking questions about what you're doing...as you're doing it, "Are you cooking noodles?", or asking questions that state the obvious, "That's a new phone?" - their form of initiating a conversation and connecting with you without asking "How are you?" Ủa kỳ vậy... That's strange..." - slight disappointment or disapproval.
- Chinese Characters in the Hallway 2-5 pm, Fisk Lobby
Language carries meaning beyond translation. Chinese characters often combine sound, image, history, and values in a single written form. Choose one Chinese character or word that feels meaningful to you—because of its definition, visual structure, cultural associations, or a personal connection it sparks.
- Chat with the Linguistics Club 315-415 pm, Fisk 209
Join us for guest speaker Ryan Wong, who will talk about the Hokkien language (a basic overview including history, dialects, where it's spoken, etc). They will also teach a bit of the language as well.
- ASL Game Night 7-9 pm, Fisk 208
Join us for an ASL-themed Game Night! Games like Charades, Pictionary, Guess Who?, etc.
- Habibi Funk DJ Night 7-9 pm, Espwesso
A Habibi Funk–inspired listening session centered on Arabic funk, disco, and soul music from the 1960s–80s (Either I will DJ or music will be on AUX). There will be free Espwesso drinks.- Soirée ciné 7-9 pm, Fisk 201
Join the Francophone house and members of the French section for a screening of Bienvenue à Marly-Gomont, (Welcome to Marly-Gomont). The film is a comedy movie based on a true story about the difficult process of integration of an African family in a small French community. Screening includes an introduction, post viewing discussion and snacks. - Friday, February 20
- Econ x Global Studies Lunch 12-1 pm, Fisk 201
This ECON-sectional lunch is open to students who are Economics majors or minor and who have strong interests in studying abroad and foreign languages. This lunch provides an opportunity to connect with peers who share similar academic interests. Bring your own lunch, and desserts will be provided!
- Your Name in Other Languages 12-1 pm, Boger 114
Ever wondered what your name would look like in another language? Swing by during lunch for a fun lesson where you’ll learn how to write your own name in Twi and Amharic. Feeling creative? Tell us your birthday, a personality trait, or what makes you you, and we’ll help you craft a unique nickname or choose one from our curated name list if you’re feeling spontaneous. Learn how to write it out, and you’ll unlock boba tea and international snacks as your reward!
- Mongolian Monk Immersion 12:15-1 pm, Boger 115
Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to live as a Mongolian monk in the 20th century? Immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes of the Mongolian steppes, explore the different scripts of the steppes, and discover emerging music artists blending tradition and modernity. Snacks served straight from the capital city of Ulaanbaatar.
- Japan 101 for Travelers & Osaka’s Hidden Gems 3:30-4:30 pm, Fisk 209
Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to live as a Mongolian monk in the 20th century? Immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes of the Mongolian steppes, explore the different scripts of the steppes, and discover emerging music artists blending tradition and modernity. Snacks served straight from the capital city of Ulaanbaatar.
- Cookies from Around the World, 4:30-6 pm, Fisk 201
Come try cookies and desserts from around the world with the Foreign Language Teaching Assistants! Learn more about dessert cuisine around the world, and how to pronounce them
- Saturday, February 21
- Film Screening, Viet and Nam 8-10 pm, CFA Goldsmith Family Cinema
Viet and Nam (2024. Vietnam. Dir: Trương Minh Quý. With Thanh Hai Pham) Down in the depths of the dark coal mines, two young miners become secret lovers. The two cherish the brief and tender moments they are allowed to have before one of them leaves the country in search of better opportunities. Sensuously tactile and socially critical, this is one the year's hidden gems.
- Monday, February 23
- Grad Student Film Screening, Searching for the Folk Philosopher 1-2 pm, Olin 327B
Join us for a screening of a chapter of the film-in-progress Searching for the Folk Philosopher (Dir. Mounir Salah Trương Minh Quý. Arabic with English subtitles. With Ameen Mokdad), followed by a discussion with Wesleyan graduate student Ameen Mokdad, who is the film's composer and impact producer.In the film, Salah searches for his grandfather's friend Aziz Ali, the pioneer monologist of Iraq. Because of his critical political monologues, various Iraqi governments considered Ali inimical. He was sent to prison several times for his commentary, accused first of being a Communist, then a Nazi, and finally a Freemason. What will Salah do once he discovers that his grandfather met the same end as his friend Ali?- Study Abroad Day 4:30-6 pm, Fisk 201
- Tuesday, February 24
- Why Americans Call It “Soccer” & Other Linguistic Curiosities of the Beautiful Game 12-1 pm, Fisk 201
Join Wesleyan professors and world football aficionados Avner Shavit and Roberto Saba for a fascinating conversation about how Americans came to call the sport “soccer” and how iconic teams in non-English speaking countries, like AC Milan (Italy), River Plate (Argentina), and Corinthians (Brazil), got their English names. We’ll end with a fun quiz to test your knowledge of team, player, and coach nicknames from around the globe led by OISA Director Morgan Keller. We guarantee you’ll get a “kick” out of this Power of Language Week event! Free pizza and beverages provided by the Office of International Student Affairs (OISA).
- ASL Movie Night 7-9 pm, Frank 100
Screening of film Deaf President Now! for ASL students as well as anyone who is interested. The film is about a critical moment in Deaf culture and history.
- Wednesday, February 25
- Translation Panel 12-1 pm, Fisk 201
Interested in translation? Join us for an informal panel discussion with translators on campus and can ask questions about the practice and career.
- The Women of Cantonese Opera 12-1 pm, Boger 113
A 20-minute presentation and discussion on female roles and performers in Cantonese opera, highlighting its unique tradition of gender performance and its cultural significance. Followed by a mini creative workshop (e.g., designing simple opera-inspired props or artistic cards).
- Ta - He, She, and It in One: Gender Pronouns in Chinese 4:30-5:30 pm, Fisk 209
Can you believe that all Chinese pronouns sound the same? Well, in Chinese, they do! In this interactive session, we’ll introduce the three most common pronouns in Mandarin, explore the fascinating history of how a gender-neutral universal pronoun evolved into a feminine one—prompted by the need to translate English—and dive into Chinese radicals with gendered meanings. We’ll wrap up with a creative activity: brainstorming a modern gender-neutral pronoun for Chinese!
Free bubble tea (for the first ten participants), KitKats, and gender pronoun pins in Chinese will be served. — Presented by the members of the Wesleyan International Speakers Program (WISP):
Melissa Xu, Joyce Gui, Isabella Xue, and Chelsea Zhang- Japanese Depictions in American Films 4:30-5:30 pm, Fisk 201
We will be lookinng at two American films that focus on depictions of the Japanese culture and language: Lost in Translation by Sofia Coppola and Marty Supreme by Josh Safdie. Through talking about clips from the film (mostly centered around comedy), we will look at the integration of Japanese culture into American media, what some potential issues are with such depictions, and the comedy that can happen at the intersection of two vastly different cultures.
- Southeast Asia: Same Food, Different Name | Same Name, Different Food 5-6:30 pm, College of the Environment Conference Room
Join us for a discussion of Southeast Asian history and cultural identity through food found commonly throughout the region. We will explore the forces and events that led to various names for similar dishes across countries, as well as different forms of a commonly named dish. Linking these phenomena to Southeast Asia’s rich history of migration and cultural exchange, we will encourage attendees to share their lived experiences and perspectives on the interaction between language, food, and identity in other regions and countries around the world. Of course, we will serve some of the featured dishes and desserts at the event!
- Shakti Screening and Discussion of English Vinglish, 6-9 pm, Fisk 201
Join student members of Shakti, Wesleyan’s South Asian student organization, for a screening and discussion ofEnglish Vinglish, a Hindi-language comedy-drama film about an Indian woman’s transformative journey learning English in New York City. Indian food from a local Middletown restaurant will be provided at the event by the Office of International Student Affairs (OISA).
- Thursday, February 26
- Samba Fest 4:30-6 pm, Fisk 201
Joya Powell leads us in a little intro to Samba workshop and then we highlight opportunities that have to do with Brazil and Portuguese.
- Friday, February 27
- Faux Amis from around the world 1:30-2:30 pm, Fisk 209
Come to discuss the history behind false cognates and examples from different languages from around the world!
- Emulsify Multilingual Magazine Release Party 1:30-3 pm, Fisk 209
Join us to celebrate the first edition of Emulsify, Wesleyan's Multilingual Magazine. We plan on starting off with some introductions, readings from the publication, and encouraging submissions for the upcoming issue. After the more structured first half, we plan on allowing students to scrapbook and mingle.
- Grad Student Film Screening, The Path 2-3 pm, Olin 327B
Join us for an encore screening of The Path (dir. Aibek Baiymbetov, Kyrgyz with English subtitles), an ethnographic documentary by Wesleyan Ph.D. student in ethnomusicology Aibek Baiymbetov.
The performance of the Kyrgyz epic Manas represents as a vivid example of a living oral tradition that continues to be practiced among performers and their audiences in contemporary Kyrgyzstan. However, the perception of traditional performance art, both by the performers and their listeners is changing under the influence of modern contexts. The central figure of the ethnographic documentary film is a manaschy (epic storyteller) whose name is Kulmat. He received the gift of storytelling from the spirits of the epic’s heroes in his youth through a visionary dream. In this way, ancestral spirits select individuals and bestow upon them the blessing to become storytellers. Kulmat recounts his unique journey of becoming a manaschy, as well as the challenges, responsibilities, and obstacles he faces in practicing his art. The storyteller believes that the epic is a living embodiment of the spirits of the epic heroes, who continue to serve the people through the art of the epic performance. Recognizing the importance of this mission, Kulmat preserves the old tradition by mentoring a new generation of young storytellers. The film sheds light on the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity in the preservation and transmission of cultural heritage, offering valuable insights into the evolving role of the manaschy in contemporary Kyrgyz society.- Chinese Calligraphy Workshop 3-4 pm, Woodhead Lounge
CCC x the CEAS department is hosting a Chinese Calligraphy Workshop to learn how to write Chinese Calligraphy! We will be providing paper, ink, and brushes. There will be snacks!
- Spanish Film Screening + Tapas 5-730 pm, Fisk 201
Come watch La sociedad de la Nieve and enjoy Mediterranean food!
- Multilingual Karaoke 5-6 pm, Fisk 209
Enjoy pizza and multilingual karaoke!
- Saturday, February 28
- Italian Podcast Listening Party 1 pm, Fisk 201
Join us for a listening party to celebrate the live airing on WESU of the first of three podcasts produced by students enrolled in the Fall 2025 course taught by Professor Ellen Nerenberg’s: Podcasting Middletown's Italian Treasures. This course explored the following topics and the resulting podcasts, featuring participation from members of the Middletown community focus on: how does Middletown's Italian past link to its present? And to Wesleyan? Where can we find Italian "treasures" on campus and off? Pizza will be served.
- Film Screening, 35 Shots of Rum 8-10 pm, CFA Goldsmith Family Cinema
35 Shots of Rum (2008. France. Dir: Claire Denis. With Alex Descas, Mati Diop) A subtly stirring portrait of a widowed father, his daughter, and the surrogate, family they build in their apartment complex. As changes happen to these withdrawn but emotive characters, what takes shape is a warm, understated meditation on how to let go and move on. (Spoiler: it involves drinking a lot of rum.)
- About the Bengali Language Movement
The Bengali Language Movement aims to encourage the power in speaking one's native tongue, having begun in East Pakistan, or East Bengal, as a movement to speak Bengal over the federally imposed Urdu. Opposing linguicide and cultural assimilation, citizens of the region fought for the recognition of their native tongue over the course of several years, eventually leading their declaration of independence on March 26th. In 1971, with the end of the liberation war, Bangladesh achieved recognized independence. UNESCO declared February 21st International Mother Language Day in 1999 to commemorate their fight, and the grave importance of preserving and proliferating the multilingual and multicultural nature of our world.