The Languages of International Feminism

#BirkbeckVoices

As part of a conference on ‘Languages of Internationalism’, hosted by the Reluctant Internationalists research group, Jocelyn Olcott (Duke University), Christine Vargha-Harris (Illinois State University – discussion only) and Emma Lundin (Birkbeck) examine the language adopted by international feminist movements in relation to the examples of the 1975 International Women’s Year conference and Swedish and South African political activists from 1968-1994. The panel, chaired by Philippa Hetherington (University College London), addresses how shared these languages were and the extent to which language difficulties were a hindrance at international events. ‘Languages of Internationalism’ aimed to shed light on the centrality of language to people’s pursuit and experiences of internationalism. Language is at the heart of every international enterprise, but as the conference showed, it presents obstacles and dilemmas, as well as opportunities. Many of the papers emphasised frictions and tensions which emerged over the use of languages in international settings. Discussions showed how language could be a tool of communication, solidarity and unity, as well as a force of division and alienation. But the conference also made clear the centrality of language in the performance, experience and pursuit of internationalism. For more information – http://bit.ly/2rC0u61