Futurolinguistics

When?

June 25th, 2022 1:00 PM — June 25th, 2022 4:00 PM

Where?

When?

June 25th, 2022 1:00 PM — June 25th, 2022 4:00 PM

Where?

Join Dr Alice Gorman to examine and test the method of exploring other worlds through language to then turn into stories.


This interactive workshop introduces participants to a linguistic method of predicting the wide variation of possible futures, first proposed by iconic Polish science fiction writer Stanislaw Lem (author of Solaris) in 1971. Futurolinguistics is based on the idea that language is constantly evolving to reflect social and technological changes. Working in small groups, participants will take everyday words, mash them up, and then explore the future (or even past) society which the new words describe. Futurolinguistics is a method that can be used in world-building as well as critically examining the assumptions that underpin contemporary society.

 

Participants will gain:

  • An increased understanding of etymology
  • A better understanding of the role of language in world-building 
  • New ideas for their own work 
  • A bonus brainstorming session with like-minded writers 
  • The importance of making the reader believe in the make-believe you create

 

The workshop is suitable for those interested in storytelling and speculative or science fiction, or who just love playing with words.


 

About Dr Alice Gorman

Dr Alice Gorman is an internationally recognised leader in the field of space archaeology and author of the award-winning book Dr Space Junk vs the Universe: Archaeology and the Future (MIT Press, 2019). Dr Space Junk won the NIB People’s Choice Award in 2019, and has been shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Awards, the Queensland Premier’s Awards, and the Adelaide Festival Awards. Asteroid 551014 Gorman is named after her in recognition of her work in establishing space archaeology.

 

WSA Member $88 / Non-member $140

Venue: Bronwyn Halliday Room on the ground floor of the State Library

 

—All staff, speakers, and attendees of in-person events must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or hold a current medical exemption, in order to attend; and must comply with any precautionary measures Writers SA puts in place. We may request proof of your vaccination status or medical exemption upon entry. See our full policy here.

—Writers SA members must be logged in to receive the member discount. If you would like to use a workshop credit to book in, please contact [email protected] at least five working days before the workshop commencement date. Our staff don’t work full time and we don’t want you to miss out!

 

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