Events

Wilson T.S. Wang – New Method College Visiting Professor in Language Education Public Lecture by Professor Paul Kei Matsuda on Identity in Written Discourse (in English)

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Date:

30 Apr 2019

Time:

4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Venue:

Lecture Theatre B6, Ho Tim Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Biography of Speaker:

Paul Kei Matsuda is Professor of English and Director of Second Language Writing at Arizona State University, where he works closely with doctoral students specializing in second language writing from various disciplinary perspectives. He is also Concurrent Professor of Applied Linguistics at Nanjing University. Paul is Founding Chair of the Symposium on Second Language Writing and Series Editor of the Parlor Press Series on Second Language Writing. Former President of the American Association for Applied Linguistics, he has also served as the founding chair of the CCCC Committee on Second Language Writing and the chair of the Nonnative English Speakers in TESOL (NNEST) Caucus. Paul has published widely on various topics on language, writing and professional development in applied linguistics, rhetoric and composition and TESOL, and has received a number of prestigious awards for his publications. A sought-after speaker, Paul has been invited to present keynote and plenary talks as well as lectures and workshops in 28 countries and regions.

Enquiries:

ericcheung@cuhk.edu.hk
3943 8197

Synopsis of Lecture:

Identity has become a popular topic in language education. In the context of writing, one of the major identity-related concepts is “voice,” which refers to the identity of the writer that is constructed in the context of written interaction. Studying and teaching voice has been challenging for a number of reasons. First, it has been a challenge to define this complex and elusive concept. Second, the notion was, at least initially, tied to Western individualism, and some researchers argued that it is not suitable for learners from Asia. Third, because of its historical association with creative and personal writing, some teachers and researchers questioned the usefulness of identity in formal, academic writing. In this presentation, the speaker will provide an operational definition of voice and then present a series of studies to illustrate how voice is not unique to Western languages or personal writing. The speaker will then discuss implications of voice for language enhancement.