Our next VAHMSconnections event is happening November 26! Celebrating the linguistic diversity of the Lower Mainland, this panel presentation shares the story of four Asian languages: Farsi, Japanese, Punjabi, and Urdu. The panelists will discuss how these languages enrich our linguistic landscape, and they will focus on cultural values, language transfer, and the cultural and social roles of local media, both historically and at the present time.

This event will be moderated by VAHMSconnections Chair Shahid Abrar-ul-Hassan.

Our Panelists:

Dr. Raminder Kang is a radio broadcaster and social service professional. He has expertise in literature, philosophy, and comparative religion, and he writes poetry in Punjabi and Urdu.

Dr. Naghmeh Babaee teaches at Yorkville University and LaSalle College in Vancouver. She also trains Farsi teachers and material developers for community language education programs.

Dr. Ayaka Yoshimizu is a researcher, educator, and an uninvited guest in the land of the Coast Salish peoples. She is an assistant professor (Asian Studies) at the University of British Columbia, and she teaches Japanese literature, films, and media.