Thoughts on basic policies
So as I draft some ideas for basic policies surrounding the "Roundtable", one concept worth noting is this:
Translanguaging.
The Roundtable needs a free and equal language policy for all.
"Translanguaging is the deployment of a speaker's full linguistic repertoire without regard for watchful adherence to the socially and politically defined boundaries of named (and usually national and state) languages." (Otheguy, Garcia, Reid 2015)
Let us acknowledge that a bilingual is not two monolinguals. Let us offer our students a seat at our table, where they know that they will be welcome to bring their whole selves. Let languages unlock and set free, not limit their discussions. Let languages be the vehichle for their voice.
Reference: Otheguy,R.,Garcia,O.,Reid,W., (2015) Clarifying translanguaging and deconstructing named languages: A perspective from linguistics. Applied Linguistics Review 6(3):281-307.