Pine to discuss Lahu speakers, karaoke singers Feb. 16

Judy Pine, linguistic anthropologist at Western Washington University, will present “Truly Lahu – Representing Authentic Identity in Karaoke Videos” from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Wilson Library Presentation Room on campus.

The free, public presentation will draw on fieldwork in Thailand and China to explore the way that Lahu speakers in the Greater Mekong Subregion present themselves as individuals who can be authentically Lahu and at the same time modern, challenging the idea that authenticity and modernity are diametrically opposed.

Professor Pine will use examples of material collected during three summers of fieldwork to briefly explore the concept of authenticity as approached from the perspective of linguistic anthropology.

Opportunities to view and perhaps sing along with Lahu language karaoke will be included.