REPORT
ON INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ‘TEACHING LITERATURES IN ENGLISH FOR CROSS
CULTURAL COMMUNICATION’
The ELTAI Thoothukudi Chapter at Annammal College of
Education for Women organized the international conference on ' Teaching
Literatures in English for Cross Cultural Communication ' on 27.07.2018 at
Annammal College of Education for Women.
The inauguration of the conference began at 10.15.a.m Dr.A.Joycilin
Shermila Principal and Convenor, ELTAI Thoothukudi Chapter welcomed the
gathering. Mr.S.Muralidharan, Secretary
of the college delivered the Presidential address. Mr.S.Muralidharan expressed his happiness
over the organisation of the conference and explained how language influences
the communication of people belonging to different cultures. Dr.B.Jeyanthi, Dean University College of
Engineering, Anna University Thoothukudi Campus was the Chief Guest of the
inauguration. Dr.Jeyanthi, in her
inaugural address, elaborated on the need to develop an understanding and
acceptance of other cultures and on how this could be achieved through teaching
of English literature. The 2nd
issue of the sixth volume of our college newsletter ACE Chronicle was released
by our college Secretary and the first copy was received by Dr.S.A.Thameemul
Ansari, Professor and Chairman, University of Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia. Dr.A.Nagalakshmi, Director of
Physical Education proposed the vote of thanks.
The first plenary session was on ‘Exploring the concept
of 'Identity ' through Language of Variety and Variation'. Dr.S.A.Thameemul
Ansari was the resource person for this session. Dr.Thameemul Ansari began with how the purpose
of skill development remains ignored in the context of teaching and learning
literature. He explained the concept of
cross-cultural communication as understanding the differences and
interpretations of expressions.
Differentiating variety from variation, he explained how language
becomes the identity of a person.
Referring to Afro American writers like Tony Morrison, he discussed the
features of Afro American English.
The second plenary session was on, ' Relationship between
Literature and Culture' Dr.K.Reshmi, Associate Professor, School of Humanities,
Unviersity of Pondicherry was the resource person for this session. Dr.Reshmi began with how literature is a
representation of reality. Citing
examples of cultural misunderstanding, she emphasized the need to understand
and respect other cultures. She
elaborated of how literatures in different English speaking countries are
perceived. Describing the differences
between British English, American English, Canadian English and Indian English,
she explained how there could be no standard English as language is inseparable
and interwoven with culture.
Parallel paper presentation sessions were organized at
six different halls. 49 Papers were
presented. 41 college teachers and 80 students and research scholars
participated in the conference. The
paper presentation session was followed by feedback from participants. Dr.
Joyce Deva Kirubai, Asst. Prof.,
Department of English, Thassim Beevi Abdul Khader College for Women, Kilakari
and Mrs. Vadivukarasi,
Asst. Professor, Dept. of English, A.P.C. Mahalakshmi College for Women
presented their feedback. The conference
ended with the distribution of certificates to the participants.
