Ladies at Home: Language and Culture in Edwardian Wellington

Professor Macalister discusses Language and Culture in Edwardian Wellington

Inaugural lecture—Professor John Macalister

August 2018

In August 1905, a group of Wellington women invited friends to an evening of entertainment. Their invitation, and the written replies it inspired, provide the basis for an exploration of language and culture in early twentieth century New Zealand.

Professor John Macalister’s examination of contemporary newspaper sources suggests that this entertainment in a private house in Hobson Street was representative of wider behaviour and attitudes of the time. His exploration is framed within wider discussion of the relationship between English and te reo Maori and, of course, speakers of the two languages, from 1769 to the present day.

This is Professor Macalister’s inaugural lecture as Professor of Applied Linguistics at Victoria University of Wellington.

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