Writing, Speaking, Dreaming: Authors Talk About Languages: A Special Program for High

April 29, 2010 | Instituto Cervantes | NYC

With Bernardo Atxaga, Randa Jarrar, Roger Sedarat, and Francisco X. Stork; moderated by Cathy Park Hong

Co-sponsored by Instituto Cervantes

LISTEN | Download the mp3

As a nation of immigrants, the United States has a rich linguistic life. English is a common language of communication; still, many other languages unify American communities and influence our lives as we work, reflect, and create. For writers, a second language can influence word choice, grammar, and other aspects of craft. A panel of accomplished authors discusses the ways in which they rely upon, contend with, and work through a language other than English in their professional and creative lives.

PEN BLOGS

• Lyn Miller-Lachmann: The 30 or so students from Enterprise, Business, and Technology High School in Brooklyn got stuck on the L train but arrived just in time to join a group from Fox Lane High School in suburban Bedford at a panel of authors who grew up speaking and writing in multiple languages. [more]