Linguists Collective Conference & International Mother Language Day IMLD Celebration
Linguists Collective Conference & Celebration
of International Mother Language Day
Wednesday, 21 February 2024
Going Viral: Why TikTok needs storytelling around languages and linguistics
Sophia Smith Galer is a renowned journalist, author, and content creator, recognised for her exceptional work in the realm of language and journalism. With over 140 million TikTok views, she has become a pioneer in TikTok journalism, earning accolades such as being named one of the 25 most influential women in the UK by British Vogue in 2022. As the co-host of the BBC World Service’s Where To Be A Woman podcast and the founder of Get Fluent With Me, a language learning planner and toolkit system, Sophia combines her passion for storytelling and linguistics.
In her captivating speech, on the topic, “Going Viral: Why TikTok Needs Storytelling Around Languages and Linguistics,” Sophia will delve into the fascinating intersection of language, technology, and social media. Drawing from her viral ‘eatymology’ series and her groundbreaking research on endangered languages, including the language her family speaks, emigliân, Sophia will explore the power of storytelling to captivate global audiences on platforms like TikTok. Through her insights, she will highlight the importance of narrative in making linguistics accessible and engaging, shedding light on the cultural richness that language brings to our interconnected world.
About Galer
Sophia Smith Galer is a multi-award-winning journalist, author, and content creator with over 140 million TikTok views. She is the co-host of the BBC World Service’s Where to Be a Woman podcast and the founder of Get Fluent With Me, a language learning planner and toolkit system. She has been credited with pioneering TikTok journalism, and in 2022, British Vogue selected her as one of the 25 most influential women in the UK. She creates content around language and languages, including her viral ‘eatymology’ series, and is currently researching endangered languages, including the one her family speaks (emigliân). She studied Spanish and Arabic at Durham University.