An invited lecture
Dr. Nandi Sims
Assistant Professor of Linguistics
Stanford University
Friday, April 10, 2026
3:30-4:30 pm central time
On Zoom
In-person viewing in Van Hise 1418
About the lecture
Using ethnographic methods, this presentation shows how 6th graders at South Florida middle school reproduce and reimagine racial hierarchy and reinforce and reflect related raciolinguistic ideologies via their language use and attitudes. A physical descriptor like lightskinned might be used to describe someone pretty, regardless of whether that person is objectively lighter phenotypically.
The students use words like ghetto to describe the speech of their peers and normal to describe themselves, regardless of the specific linguistic features used by either. In using racialized language to convey affective stances on their peer’s perceived physical and behavioral attributes, they are making raced and classed value judgements that reflect the social system in place in greater society. They demonstrate a deep understanding of the complex, rigid, imprecise racial categories imposed from above and reimagine them to fit within their own lives.
About the presenter
My primary research interests lie in language variation and change stemming from situations of ethnic contact in the US. I study the variation related to social identities, institutional ideologies, and the hegemonic structure of race.
I have conducted research on a number of topics including historical variation in African American Language morphosyntax, English prosodic rhythm comparisons between South Florida ethnicities, and the relationship between the language, ethnicity, and social identity of pre-teens.
Sponsors: UW-Madison Language Sciences and Language Institute
Contact: Kelly Wright, Language Sciences; Dianna Murphy, Language Institute
The UW-Madison Language Institute is committed to inclusive and accessible programming. To request an accommodation for this event, please contact Language Institute associate director Jana Martin three business days in advance.