Linguists Collective Conference & International Mother Language Day IMLD Celebration
Linguists Collective Conference & International Mother
Language Day Celebration
Saturday, 21st February 2026
Whispers of the Alps: Romansh Language as a Living Heritage
This presentation explores the history and enduring vitality of Romansh, one of Switzerland’s four national languages. She will guide the audience through the evolution of Romansh from its Latin roots, outlining key features of its grammar and its connections to other regional minority languages. Her talk will also highlight Romansh literature and cultural expressions, offering reflections on how this lesser-known Alpine language continues to serve as a living link between past and present, preserving the identity and heritage of its speakers.
About Ellen
Dr. Ellen Cressman Buchmann Frye is the Chair of the Department of Language, Literature, Culture, and Writing at William Paterson University of New Jersey, United States. She earned her PhD in Romance Languages from the University of Pennsylvania, specialising in early modern European literature with a focus on Spain and Italy. Of Swiss heritage, she has extended her research to Romansh literature and culture and has also published on the language and literature of Antarctica. Her work reflects a lifelong passion for multilingualism, cultural preservation, and the interconnectedness of world literatures.