The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Linguafest held at Madras varsity

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 22, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Linguafest held at Madras varsity

Staff Reporter

Posters proclaim advantages of learning foreign languages

CELEBRATING LANGUAGES: Madras University Vice-Chancellor, S. P. Thyagarajan (2nd right) talks to Chitra Krishnan (right) at the Linguafest '06, organised by the University's French Department on Monday. Patrizia Raveggi (left) and Jean - Pascal Elba z (standing) Director, Alliance Francaise look on. — Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

CHENNAI: `In a real Spanish bullfight, say much more than Ole. Learn Spanish,' announced one of the many posters up on the walls of the Madras University's Senate Hall.

They were in honour of Linguafest 2006, Madras University's multi-lingual festival. Hosted by the French Department, it was organised and executed by the students of foreign languages at the university.

The celebrations coincide with the 150th year of the University.

Acclimatisation

Vice-chancellor S.P. Thyagarajan, at the inaugural function, said that a multi-lingual education helped acclimatise the students to other cultures. He underlined the importance of this in an increasingly globalised world. The Foreign Languages Department offers French, Italian, German, Korean, Spanish, Russian and Japanese. The two-day event included competitions, film and cultural programmes.

Benefits

The posters pointed out other benefits of learning a foreign language. `Explore the Black Forest [not just the pastries]. Learn German', coaxed one. `The Russians gave you space technology and vodka. Thank them properly in Russian,' reminded another.

The director, Italian Cultural Centre, New Delhi, Patrizia Raveggi, and director of Alliance Francaise de Madras Jean Pascal Elbaz also attended the inaugural ceremony.

Song and dance

Day one included a morning of song, theatre and dance from different languages and cultures, a screening of Romeo and Juliet in Italian and `Gastronomie' an introduction to French cuisine by chef Madan from La Madeleine. On day two, 25 city colleges participated in different competitions.

Students from the Pondicherry University and the Madurai Kamaraj University were also present.

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