2022 Session Descriptions
We are excited to welcome you to campus for Cornell World Languages Day. The day will be packed with fun activities around languages, cultures, and all things global. To structure your day, you will select one track during your online registration (each track has 3 sessions). The tracks are listed below, along with session descriptions. We look forward to meeting you on October 22!
WLD tracks
| Track A | French | Arabic | Quechua |
| Track B | Latin | African Languages | American Sign Language |
| Track C | Southeast Asia Game Show | Korean Drumming | Bosnian |
| Track D | Korean K-Pop | Study Abroad | Indigenous Language |
Session descriptions
Experience Africa through the lens of language learning
You’ve probably heard “hakuna matata” “safari” and “simba.” Did you know these words and phrases are from an African language? In this session, we will practice greetings and simple phrases in Yoruba and Swahili. Greetings are essential to establish rapport in the African context. The session will also answer questions on what it means to learn an African language at Cornell. Be prepared to dance to African music!
What does it mean to be an Arab? (Arabic)
Did you know that the Arab world consists of 22 countries? There is a lot of cultural diversity but also many shared similarities across these countries. How is an Arab from Morocco the same or different from an Arab in Sudan? Find out in this session! Learn about the unity and diversity across the Arab countries, debunk some of the stereotypes and common misconceptions about the region and its people, and learn Arabic while you’re at it.
Amaze your peers. Baffle your elders. Learn ASL!
Gain a superpower learning American Sign Language (ASL)! You could use ASL underwater, sign in noisy environments, through windows, and occasionally in secret. Did you know there are over 140 signed languages around the world? You will learn some ASL basics including fingerspelling, greetings, some common phrases, and play games popular in the Deaf community.
Imaynalla! Bolivian culture and indigenous languages (Quechua)
Did you know that Bolivia has 36 indigenous languages? Come and experience Bolivia in this interactive session. You will travel through history and learn some important facts about this pluricultural state. We will share music, dance, costumes, and traditions, and also learn some vocabulary in one of Bolivia’s most spoken indigenous languages “Quechua.” Tinkunakama!
The tradition of singing Sevdalinka: A unique story of Bosnian culture and language
Have you heard of Sevdalinka, an emotional and melancholic Bosnian folk song usually described as “the mirror of the soul”? Music in Bosnia has been influenced by Slavic, Turkish, European, and Mediterranean music genres. Expressions of love, disappointment, loss, affliction, homeland, friendship, sorrow, and joy found their way into songs. We will experience the Bosnian music, language, and the feeling of this tradition and find out how and why Sevdalinka has been able to break through to modern times.
Indigenous language and culture of the Six Nations Confederacy
Did you know that Upstate New York and Canada are the homelands of the Hodinonsyonnih people? Learn about the language and culture of the Hodinonsyonnih, “People of the Longhouse.” In this interactive session, we will play language games as a means to learn some basic vocabulary of the Hodinonsyonnih people.
Oh, the places you'll go! Languages = Superpowers (French)
Would you like to know how powerful languages can be? Places you never imagined they could take you? Are you ready to travel the world, discover new cultures, meet new friends? In this interactive session, meet Cornell pre-med students who experienced the powers of learning another language and find out how it has shaped their worldview. We will have fun with games and learn some interesting facts about the French language.
On se voit là-bas!
케이팝 – K-pop star training (Korean K-Pop)
Learn the choreography to a fun Korean pop song: Fearless by Le Sserafim! K-pop has grown in influence around the world, especially recently with groups like BTS making global headlines. See what it takes to master a dance and groove to the beat like a K-pop star!
Striking beats with Shimtah (Korean Drums)
Come and learn about Korean music before the era of K-Pop. It involves carefully coordinated movements and cues, beating of the drums, and hitting gongs of various sizes. Are you ready to feel the rhythm?
Latin lives! Vivat Latina!
For way too long, Latin has been taught as a “dead” language. The fact is that Latin is no less alive today than any modern language. Come discover if, how, and why Latin can - indeed must - be taught and learned in a “living” way. Only by listening, speaking, writing, and reading Latin can students achieve full fluency.
Languages of Southeast Asia: The Gameshow!
Have you ever wanted to be a contestant on a game show? Do you think you know a lot about languages? Do you want to learn more about the many languages spoken in Southeast Asia? Test your knowledge and find out a thing or two about different languages.
What is Study Abroad anyway?
Have you ever thought about studying abroad? What does it actually look like? Why should you study abroad? Hear from students who have recently returned from studying abroad and learn about their experiences! In this session, we will also do an activity to help you think about what kind of study abroad opportunity could work best for you.