University of Iowa News Release

Oct. 29, 2003

Scholars To Discuss Bilingualism In Paraguay At Nov. 3 International Mondays

Three University of Iowa graduate students and their professor will discuss "Paraguay: Where Bilingualism is The Norm" at the next International Mondays lecture Monday, Nov. 3, from noon to 1 p.m. in the International Center Lounge on the University of Iowa campus. This lecture is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

UI graduate students Elaine Shenk, Maisa Taha and Angelique Dwyer will join Mercedes Nino-Murcia (left), an associate professor of Spanish and Portuguese in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, to lead the presentation.

This presentation follows a one-month summer seminar in which graduate students and language professionals from around the U.S. studied bilingualism in Paraguay. Nino-Murcia, co-director of the UI Latin American Studies Program, received a $56,000 grant from the Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad to fund the July seminar.

Paraguay is unique in that Guarani, the indigenous language, and Spanish, the colonial language, coexist on a daily basis within a population that does not necessarily consider itself indigenous, Nino-Murcia said. This talk will touch on a broad sociolinguistic background, situating language use within its historical and cultural landscape, as well as pinpointing issues of writing and education.

For more information on this lecture or International Mondays, contact Buffy Quintero, International Programs outreach coordinator, at 319-335-0345.

The International Mondays series is sponsored by UI International Programs and the Stanley-UI Foundation Support Organization and presents discussions with individuals who have had international experiences. The lectures are usually from noon to 1 p.m. every Monday in the International Center Lounge or other locations on campus throughout the academic year with the exception of holidays and breaks.

UI International Programs consists of a number of offices, centers, degree programs, academic programs, research projects and services. Organized under the associate provost for academic programs and dean of international programs, these units serve to further internationalize the campus and the community and promote global scholarship, research and teaching.

STORY SOURCE: University of Iowa News Services, 300 Plaza Centre One, Suite 371, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-2500.

CONTACT(S): Media: Lois Gray, 319-335-2026, lois-gray@uiowa.edu. Program: Buffy Quintero, 319-335-0345; Writer: Kent Nguyen