In African languages such as Swahili or Shona, what goes unsaid often speaks volumes. Katrina Daly Thompson, associate professor of African languages and literature, reveals that “linguistic taboos” offer fascinating insight into who holds the power in African societies. Thompson (M.A.’99, Ph.D.’04, African Language and Literature) returns to UW-Madison this fall from the University of California, Los Angeles, where she dug deep into language for insights about African societies, identity, gender, and more.
We asked Thompson about being back in Madison, her teaching style and more.
Thompson
Q: Tell us about your work and research interests.
A: I am interested in how language, power, and identity intersect in African societies, such as how and when colonial and indigenous languages are used, how language both reflects and constructs gender differences, how religion and ethnicity impact language use, and how linguistic taboos uphold power relations. I’m currently writing a book about how Tanzanian Swahili speakers transgress such taboos through talk about a supernatural sodomist.
Q: How did you become interested in the field?
A: I lived in Zimbabwe for a semester abroad as an undergraduate, where I began learning Shona, and became interested in the passion Shona speakers had for their language as an identity marker, as well as in the politics of when they used Shona and when English.
Q: Why are you excited about being at UW-Madison?
A: I went to graduate school here and am thrilled to be back at the best institution in the United States for the study of Africa. I’m looking forward to seeing what has changed since I left eight years ago, and to contributing to the revamping of the university’s program in African languages. I’m also excited to get to know my colleagues in Second Language Acquisition.
Q: Can you say all that in Swahili?
A: Sure! Nilisoma digrii za pili na tatu hapa na nafurahi sana kurudi kwenye chuo bora Marekani kwa masomo kuhusu Afrika. Natarajia kuona yalivyobadilika tangu nilipoondoka miaka minane iliyopita, na kuchangia kuboresha programu ya lugha za Kiafrika hapa chuoni. Nafurahi pia kuanza kufahamu watafiti wenzangu katika Masomo ya Kujifunza Lugha za Pili.
Q: What courses will you teach?
A: This year I am teaching my department’s pedagogy course for language TAs, and a new course called Language, Gender, and Sexuality. I will also supervise all of the African languages TAs, and in the future I will sometimes teach advanced Swahili courses.
Q: What can students expect from you in the classroom this year?
A: I teach most of my courses in a seminar-style, with students taking turns in leading discussion, along with me. I bring a lot of examples from my personal and research experiences in Africa.
Q: If you could give your students one piece of advice before the year begins, what would it be?
A: Come to office hours, even if you don’t need help. Get to know me and help me get to know you.
Q: What is the best thing you have done in Madison so far?
A: Canoeing in Monona Bay with my 11-year-old son.
To meet more new faculty members, see our full list of Q&As.