Julian Burnside: Mind Your Language

Event and Ticketing Details

Dates & Times

Thursday 03 June
12:45 PM - 1:15 PM

Location

The Wheeler Centre

176 Little Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000

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Unhappily, many people for whom language is a central part of their life’s work are a bit careless about the way they use it. Go into any court or any parliament any day and see whether you find the language inspiring, or even intelligible. If we were carpenters, we would probably leave our hammer and saw in the rain. The point of language is to convey meaning. Ideally, it should do so accurately. Not all writers honour this ideal. The purpose of language may be betrayed by carelessness, foolishness or malevolence, by representatives of big business, bureaucrats and politicians.

Julian Burnside will speak about each, and will finish with some recent reminders that language can be used powerfully and effectively if only we take enough care.