What is your research about?

"My research looks at contemporary language transformation in Greenland with a focus on the growing significance of English and the possible implications of this development. Historically, English has been perceived as an imperialistic language but paradoxically, it’s  also been seen as a language that can be used to counter imperialism as it allows its users access to new conversations and communities. In Greenland, this paradox encounters an even older paradox tied to the Greenlandic-Danish relation, where language matters have served - and continue to serve - as a frame for understanding colonial and postcolonial histories and futures."

How will the research be communicated?

"I will primarily collaborate with Greenlandic actor and poet Dina Fisker Sandgreen. Drawing on my research, we will create three digital videos: a master version to be hosted on the Vimeo platform and two teaser versions for social media. Our working title is "Spirits of Language Entanglements". The videos will be trilingual to reach a broad audience, and filming will take place in Nuuk and Qeqertarsuaq, Dina's home town. The soundscapes for the videos will be produced in collaboration with local musicians."

Why are you using the video format to communicate your research?

"When you explore paradoxes and ‘write/read’ about them in stringent academic language, as I have done, you don’t necessarily ‘feel’ them in embodied or sensory ways. I believe the audiovisual format can help communicate these paradoxes with more nuance. That’s why I’ve chosen this medium. The Carlsberg Mindelegat supports projects where researchers collaborate with professional communicators, making this project a place to experiment with new forms of inter-professional collaboration."

Learn more about the project here 

Contact

Ushma Chauhan Jacobsen, Associate Professor 
Department of English 
School of Communication and Culture 
Aarhus University 
Mail: ucj@cc.au.dk
Telephone: +45 87165149