Yiddish and Pennsylvania Dutch are among a small number of minority languages in North America that are thriving. In addition to being vibrant vernaculars, both languages serve as vehicles for multiple literary and dramatic genres, including poetry. This event will showcase poetic works in Yiddish and Pennsylvania Dutch that deal with the concept of place. Josh Brown (UW–Eau Claire), Matthew Johnson (UW–Madison), Mark Louden (UW–Madison), and Sunny Yudkoff (UW–Madison) will read selected poems and provide translations and commentary. No knowledge of Yiddish or Pennsylvania Dutch is required!
This event is cosponsored by the Max Kade Institute for German American Studies and the Mayrent Institute for Yiddish Culture at UW–Madison.
[image credits: photo—Malka Heifetz Tussman, 1896–1987 (Kalman Marmor Papers, YIVO Archives, photo dated 1927); weaving—Josh Brown, The Bullfrog Inn Handwovens.]