Ref: 14/08 LP 21 February 2008
The English Project – University launch for the world’s first ‘language multicentre’ for the story of English
The campaign to create the English Project will be officially launched on Wednesday 5 March at the University of Winchester with the support of Lord Hunt of Wirral, the Chairman of the English Speaking Union, in conjunction with a lecture by Professor David Crystal, OBE FBA – one of the world’s foremost experts on the English language.
The English Project aims to establish a world-class attraction in Winchester that will enable visitors to explore and participate – both physically and virtually – in the global evolution of English, from a mixed tongue of three tribes to the shared speech of two billion people through a variety of media. There will also be an ambitious educational outreach programme and a major research and development function. The goal is to open the visitor attraction in the spring of 2012 as part of the London Olympics cultural programme.
“The University of Winchester has been a key supporter of the English Project since the idea was conceived,” said Professor Joy Carter, Vice Chancellor of the University of Winchester. “It is a very exciting concept, one which we are most proud to be a part of and we are looking forward to developing the intellectual side of this living exhibition of the English language.
“King Alfred the Great has had a seminal impact on the formal development of the English language – so there is no better place to establish the centre. It will make a wonderful addition to Winchester, contributing to the tourism, economic and social base of the City and its future prosperity.”
The University of Winchester is underpinning the academic integrity of the English Project. This will involve a wide range of its academic departments developing materials and new research into the history and culture of the English language. It is also envisaged that the University will be involved in educational outreach activities with primary schools in the region.
Lord Hunt of Wirral is chairing the event which will involve a lecture by Professor David Crystal to mark the launch of the English Project campaign to create the world-class visitor attraction. The lecture, The Future of Englishes, is part of the University of Winchester’s popular Enterprise Lecture Series. It will explore the global nature of the English language and what is happening to the language as a result. Professor Crystal will discuss how new varieties of English are appearing raising the possibility that English will evolve into a family of languages. He will argue that English is becoming a new kind of language as a result of these changes and its investigation (or exhibition as in the case of the English Project) demands that we take on board fresh cultural perspectives.
“I see the English Project as a timely means of fostering public interest in language,” commented Professor Crystal. “It will provide a model which I would expect other English-speaking countries to follow and demonstrate that the British are proud of their linguistic history as they are of other heritage domains.”
After the lecture, Professor Christopher Mulvey, a trustee of the English Project, will describe for the first time in public the scope of this ambitious initiative and outline the steps that must be taken to turn the vision into reality. The launch event also marks the start of a major fundraising campaign.
Support for the English Project has already been secured from major bodies such as the BBC, the British Council, the English Speaking Union and the British Library, as well as locally from Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council, together with the University of Winchester.
PRESS OPPORTUNITY
Members of the press are invited to attend the launch on Wednesday 5 March. Doors open at 6pm prior to the lecture and official launch at 6.30pm. The event is taking place in The Stripe at the University of Winchester, Sparkford Road, Winchester. The lecture is fully booked. There will be opportunities for interviews and photos/filming with Lord Hunt of Wirral, Professor David Crystal, members of the English Project and the University of Winchester. To arrange interviews, photography/filming please contact Lisa Preston, Corporate Communications Manager at the University of Winchester on 01962 827252 or email Lisa.Preston@winchester.ac.uk
Ends
Notes to editors:
Interviews and photos prior to the launch can be arranged upon request.
David Crystal is Honorary Professor of Linguistics at Bangor University. He is the author, co-author, editor or translator of over 100 books on a wide variety of subjects. He is the recipient of an OBE forservices to the English language. His books include the Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Language, the Cambridge Encyclopaedia of the English Language and The Stories of English. He is the language consultant for the English Project.
David Hunt, Baron Hunt of Wirral, PC, MBE, was a member of the Cabinet during the Margaret Thatcher and John Major administrations. Lord Hunt is chairman of Beachcroft LLP’s financial services division and is regarded as a major figure in the world of insurance and financial services. He is Chairman of the English-Speaking Union and is a dedicated supporter of the English Project.
Christopher Mulvey is Emeritus Professor of English at the University of Winchester. He is the author of numerous articles and books in the fields of English and American Studies. He is Managing Editor of the Winchester University Press and Director of the English Project @ Winchester Ltd, an educational charity.
The English Project believes that the greatest treasure of our heritage is the English language and that it is our greatest gift to the world. It is the language of Shakespeare and the rap artist. It is a passport to every continent. Many countries are already setting up treasure houses to display their languages, but there is no place where the English language is fully presented to the public. The English Project plans to put that right by opening a permanent English language exhibition in Winchester in 2012.
The University of Winchester has over 5,600 students studying a wide selection of courses ranging from Foundation degrees, Bachelor Honours degrees through to professional development, postgraduate Masters and Research degrees. Programmes of study span the arts, humanities, social sciences, business, education, health and social care.
Previous speakers in the Enterprise Lecture Series include leading environmentalist Jonathon Porritt; transatlantic rower, Debra Searle MBE; leading archaeologist, Professor Mick Aston from Channel 4’s Time Team; ex-BBC Director General, Greg Dyke; and international sociologist, Professor Lord Anthony Giddens.
Useful websites for journalists:
www.winchester.ac.uk – The University of Winchester
www.winchester.ac.uk/press – Information for journalists
www.winchester.ac.uk/newsreleases – Latest news releases
For further information:
The University of Winchester press office can be contacted by calling 01962 827678 or by emailing Lisa.Preston@winchester.ac.uk