The Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities is opening the entire Academy building on 18 January, 6.00 pm until midnight and invites guests to an evening in the tradition of Berlin salon culture. The theme of this year's Salon Sophie Charlotte is ‘Metamorphoses’. Prof. Dr Dr h.c. Artemis Alexiadou, Director of the ZAS, will give a lecture entitled ‘Language metamorphosis: languages of origin and language change’ at 9 pm in German.
Abstract of the lecture: Languages are always in flux. Understanding the factors that lead to significant changes in language is at the centre of much research in linguistics. We will approach this question by looking at heritage languages. A heritage language is a language that is acquired by its speakers as children at home, but who grow up speaking another dominant language. Heritage languages can shed light on current debates about how language works and how it is changing.
The event is free of charge and registration is not required. Further information and the entire programme can be found here.
The Salon Sophie Charlotte is a public evening event to which the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities has been inviting guests every year since 2006 on the penultimate Saturday in January in the Academy building on Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt. The Salon is organised each year with a different thematic focus. To mark the occasion, all floors of the academy building are filled with artistic and scientific contributions such as talks, lectures, music and performances by academy members, academy staff and prominent guests.