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Event in the Library

Dr. James G. Mitchell,

Second Language Use On American Primetime TV: The Crossroads of Humor and Social Commentary

Mon. Mar. 5, 2012
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Munroe Special Collections Room,
McKillop Library

Dr. James G. Mitchell Dr. James G. Mitchell, associate professor of French, Italian and Linguistics at Salve Regina will present aspects of his research on the use of second languages and the portrayal of second language speakers in popular television in the U.S. as well as the inherent attitudes that these representations convey about the groups they purport to depict.

In the U.S., "second language" or L2 is defined as a language learned after the mother tongue. Not surprisingly, L2 speakers and their non-native English use contribute to humor in programs such as Modern Family, Saturday Night Live, and 30 Rock and add to our understanding of linguistic and cultural diversity in the U.S.

Mitchell, whose overarching research specialization is second language acquisition, is developing his research into a book-length project.

A reception will follow Mitchell's presentation.