Media Release
Udupi, Mar 18: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is hosting a public seminar titled ‘In search of language X’, presented by the renowned linguist and writer-in-residence, Prof Dr Peggy Mohan.
Organized by the department of philosophy under the faculty of liberal arts – humanities and social sciences, this seminar will explore how new languages in South Asia emerge through a unique model of language mixture inspired by the creole model. Prof Mohan will discuss how ancient local languages persist as the ‘operating systems’ of modern languages, while newer languages of power in the region, contribute their vocabulary. Her research uncovers linguistic ‘ancient bones,’ tracing sounds and grammars back to pre-Sanskrit and Prakrit times in the Indus Valley region.
Event details:
• Date: March 18
• Time: 11 am
• Venue: Department of Philosophy (DoP), First Floor, Old WGSHA Building, MAHE, Manipal
• Registration: No prior registration required; open to all
About Prof Dr Peggy Mohan
Prof Mohan is a distinguished linguist with over four decades of contributions to linguistics, education, and mass communication. She holds a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Michigan and has held academic positions at Harvard University and Ashoka University. Her groundbreaking research includes the Prakrit-creole paradigm and expanded frameworks for bilingual practices in South Asia.
A prolific author, her acclaimed works include ‘Wanderers, Kings, Merchants: The story of India through its languages’ and her forthcoming book ‘Father Tongue, Motherland: The birth of languages in South Asia.” Her contributions have earned her prestigious honours like the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters’ 2023 Book of the Year Award.
About the Department of Philosophy (DoP), MAHE
The department focuses on advancing research in humanities and social sciences with special emphasis on Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). It regularly organizes events fostering academic discourse on topics like language evolution and cultural analysis.