Event: Colours of the Alphabet, International Mother Language Day (SOAS, London, 21st Feb)

By Africa in Words on 10 February , 2018 • ( 0 )

We are delighted to announce that Dr. Alastair Cole’s feature documentary film Colours of the Alphabet (2016, Zambia/UK/NZ), on language and childhood in Africa, will be screened at SOAS, London on Wednesday 21^st February, 7-9pm.

The screening will be followed by a discussion with Professor Nick Higgins (University of the West of Scotland) – also producer of the film-, and Dr Alastair Cole (University of Newcastle) – film director.

The special event, as part of International Mother Language Day, tells the story of three Zambian children and their families over two school terms, and asks the question does the future have to be in English?

When nearly 40% of the world’s population lack access to education in their own language, the film offers an intimate, moving and often humorous insight into a global phenomenon from the unique perspective of three innocent children.

Steward, Elizabeth and M’barak are three first time school pupils in rural Zambia, struggling to make sense of an educational system where the language they speak at home is different from the language used in the classroom, and slowly discovering that their tongue is no longer their own.

The film will soon be available with subtitles in 27 African Languages as part of a unique continent wide release with the Afridocs platform.

Watch the trailer here: http://coloursofthealphabet.com/trailer/

Come join the academic producer and director of the film for a post-screening discussion on the theme of mother-tongue education in Russell Square.

For more information about the event: https://www.soas.ac.uk/cas/events/21feb2018-international-mother-language-day-special-event-colours-of-the-alphabet-screening-and-disc.html

Contact email: cas@soas.ac.uk