The Robert A. and Elizabeth R. Jeffe Distinguished Lecture in Urban History: Language City

Discover the powerful stories behind New York’s linguistic diversity as Ross Perlin discusses his latest book. In Language City: The Fight to Preserve Endangered Mother Tongues in New York, Perlin follows six remarkable yet ordinary speakers of endangered languages, exploring how they’re keeping their languages alive against overwhelming odds. This conversation is moderated by Monxo Lopez, MCNY’s Curator of Community Histories. 

About the Speaker: 

Dr. Ross Perlin is a linguist and co-director of the non-profit, Endangered Language Alliance, overseeing research projects focused on language documentation, mapping, policy, and public programming. As a writer, he has written on language, labor, and China for The New York Times, The Guardian, and Harper's, along with publishing a book on unpaid work and youth economics (Intern Nation). He has given talks at the Googleplex, the UK Parliament, and the Economic Policy Institute, as well as universities and colleges across America as well as appearing on MSNBC, CBS, Fox, BBC, and NPR, among others. He was a 2023 New Arizona Fellow at New America and winner of the 2024 British Academy Book Prize, the 2024-2025 New York City Book Award and New York Times Notable Book 2024 for Language City: The Fight to Preserve Endangered Mother Tongues in New York. 

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.