Whitehorse Manningham Libraries

Bad language has been used in all sort of ways in our history: to defy authority, as a form of liberation and subversion, and as a source of humour and creativity. It has also been used to oppress and punish, notably Indigenous Australians and women. Revealing the fundamental tensions, conflicts, preoccupations and anxieties that have shaped our past and continue to shape our present, the story of bad language is a story about what it means to be Australian. Associate Professor Amanda Laugesen is a historian and lexicographer. She is director of the Australian National Dictionary Centre, ANU, and chief editor of the Australian National Dictionary. Zoom invitation will be emailed to registered participants prior to session.