Meeting folks face to face is a whole different kettle of fish than doing a radio show. Among other things, it’s more invigorating and challenging to be kept on your toes by audiences you can see. For another, I can give a lot more time to listening to questions and stories, which is partly why speaking engagements also have this way of proliferating: the more you do, the more you’re asked to do. I’ve listed the next few below.
If you attend any of these events, be sure to step up and introduce yourself.
April 25 and 26 I’ll be in Potsdam, New York, taking part in the Lougheed-Kofoed Festival of the Arts on the campus of the State University of New York. On Wednesday, April 25, I’ll be speaking during courses covering the origins of language and invented languages, and then having lunch with students at Morey 120. Thursday, April 26, I’ll be on the air on North Country Public Radio, taking calls, then from from 12:30 to 1:30, I’ll be talking in front of the COMP 305 class in Flagg 238 about the radio show and anything else that comes up. That latter class will be open to all students, not just ones taking COMP 305. Then, that night, I’ll give a big talk about slang at 8 p.m. in the Dunn Theatre. It’ll be half lecture, half Q&A, and open to festival-goers.
May 5. Reading at Vermin on the Mount (Facebook page), a reading series that alternates between Los Angeles and San Diego. 7 p.m. at 3rdspace, 4610 Park Boulevard, San Diego. Copious parking in the neighborhood if you go just a little east or west.
May 6. Speaking about our uncomfortable relationship with taboo language at TEDxSDSU, a local version of the national TED talks. TEDxSDSU presenters and performers will find ways to answer the question, “What Have You Discovered?” 6 to 9 p.m. in the KPBS building at 5200 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA. The whole event is worth attending.
May 14 at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, 10 a.m. I’ll talk on “Language Encounters: People Who Speak Differently.” It will cover aspects of American dialects, language change, what happens when we meet people who speak differently than we do, and some aspects of what the radio show is about and what it’s trying to accomplish. And we’ll do Q&A for as long as everyone has questions. Directions to the center.
May 22 at the Kiwanis Club of San Diego, Bristol Hotel, 1055 First Avenue, San Diego. Meeting starts at noon but I will speak at about 1 p.m.
Would you like to have me speak at your event in your town? Email me. I’ve listed some past speeches and topics here.
