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Lannang Symposium

Manila, Philippines; July 10-12, 2024
Waiting Room

Overview & Objectives

Activities

Participation and Registration

OVERVIEW

The Lannang Symposium is a space for Lannang community members, stakeholders, and individuals interested in Lannang heritage to engage in discussions concerning Lannang heritage and identity, with a particular emphasis on language. While the symposium will feature two presentations in a manner similar to academic conferences, it diverges from the conventional conference format in other all other aspects. It adopts a grassroots approach, centering around community-focused activities and discussions. Recognizing that real and sustainable transformations require time, the primary objective of the symposium is modest yet essential. It aims to initiate much-needed conversations and facilitate genuine grassroots activities that are expected to gradually generate positive changes and have an impact within the Lannang community. The symposium seeks to mobilize change at the community level, understanding that authentic and lasting progress begins from within.

The symposium's theme, "Engage, Embrace, Empower: (Re-)discovering 'Lannang'," was inspired by interviews conducted with 130 Lannang participants between 2017 and 2022 (Gonzales 2022). These interviews revolved around the discussion of Lannang heritage, revealing that participants held varying perceptions of Lannang-ness. Some considered it a broad Chinese identity, while others viewed it as a unique Filipino-Chinese Hokkien identity. Similar parallels were observed in the context of language, where Lánnang-uè was sometimes regarded as a generic Chinese language, while others saw it as a "pure" Hokkien dialect or a blend of Hokkien, Tagalog, and English.

 

During these interviews, a recurring theme emerged regarding the perceived decline or erosion/attrition of Lannang identity and languages. Despite the different perceptions of Lannang and Lánnang-uè, participants generally agreed that Lannang heritage and languages were gradually diminishing in presence within Filipino society. Another theme that surfaced was a sense of resignation and the belief that individuals lacked the ability or agency to shape the trajectory of Lannang heritage and languages. Some participants felt that other heritages were exerting influence over Lannang heritage and believed that little practical action could be taken to preserve these heritage and languages.

 

As a result of these discussions, several crucial questions were raised: What does it truly mean to be Lannang? How does Lannang identity and heritage intersect with other identities and heritages in the Philippines? Is the use of 'Lannang' and Lannang languages appropriate and inclusive, or does it exclude certain groups? Can Lannang identity and heritage be redefined and renegotiated? Is this a path that Lannang communities are willing to embrace? If so, what concrete steps can be collectively taken to revitalize, reconstruct, or redefine Lannang-ness? In the face of ongoing marginalization, both systemic and otherwise, how can the Lannang communities be empowered? And what role does language play in all of this?

These thought-provoking questions served as the inspiration for the inaugural Lannang Symposium. The event aims to initiate discussions on these topics, setting the groundwork for positive transformation within and beyond the Lannang communities. This year, the symposium will feature six discussion topics, each led by community members and influencers.

 

Lannangs and language

Lannangs, language, and media

Lannangs, language, and religion

Lannangs, language, and literacy/education/policy

Lannang culture, heritage, and identity

Lannang heritage in the South (Lannang Stories of Sulu)

 

The Symposium will feature the following grassroots activities that celebrate Lannang-ness and empower the community through language:

 

Lannang Stories and Experiences (Grassroots stories from the community)

Lánnang-uè in Film and Song: Dubbing

Learning Lannang Languages (Lánnang-uè as Deep Hokkien)

Learning Lannang Languages (Lánnang-uè as Light/Casual Hokkien)

Lannang in Daily Life Simulation

Lánnang-uè in Games

Lannangs, Art, and Literature

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OBJECTIVES

The Lannang Symposium hopes to…

  1. raise awareness of ‘Lannang’ identity, Lannang heritage, and its languages and collectively discuss, redefine, or negotiate, if needed, ‘Lannang-ness’ in the Philippines;

  2. engage the general public and Lannang community and broaden participation in and appreciation of Lannang culture and its entanglements in Philippine society;

  3. encourage discussions on how Lannang culture and identity relates to and interacts with other cultures and identities in the Philippines (e.g., Tsinoy/Chinoy, Filipino, Chinese);

  4. encourage the use of Lannang languages in daily life, and subsequently increase its visibility as legitimate Philippine minority languages, and

  5. create meaningful impact on the Lannang community and document this.

 

ACTIVITIES

Post-event

A compilation of Lannang artefacts submitted in Tagalog, Hokkien, Lánnang-uè, Mandarin, English, or other Philippine languages (• Lannang Exchange (Academia & Conversations) • Lannang Connections (Lannang with other identities, from outsiders) • Lannang Stories & Experiences • Lannang Culture: Identit(ies) and Language(s) • Lannang Impact )

International keynote presentations

Talks from speakers with Lannang heritage from international institutions

Developing new community resources

Highlights of the symposium (e.g., recordings, videos, stories, panel exchanges) will be edited and given back to the Lannang community in the form of e-resources to be hosted by The Lannang Archives.

Symposium Recap and Open Forum: What’s done, and what’s next?

An open forum where the community discusses what’s next for the community.

“Living Lannang-ness” Breakout sessions

Sessions that showcase Lannang-ness and its diversity in various authentic aspects of life (1. Lannang Stories and Experiences (Grassroots stories from the community) 2. Lánnang-uè in Film and Song: Dubbing 3. Learning Lannang Languages (Lánnang-uè as Deep Hokkien) 4. Learning Lannang Languages (Lánnang-uè as Light/Casual Hokkien) 5. Lannang in Daily Life Simulation • Buying and selling in Lánnang-uè 6. Lánnang-uè in Games • Hangman (Hokkien Style 吊) • Charades 7. Lannangs, Art, and Literature)

Lannang-led Exhibitions

We will invite organizations with Lannang heritage or interests to set up booths throughout the symposium.

Community-led Focus Group Discussions/ Panel Discussions

Six sessions, six themes. 1. Lannangs and language 2. Lannangs, language, and media 3. Lannangs, language, and religion 4. Lannangs, language, and literacy/education/policy 5. Lannang culture, heritage, and identity 6. Lannang heritage in the South (Lannang Stories of Sulu)

The Lannang Impact

Surveys will be sent out to assess the impact of the event (and assess viability of future iterations). For example, we will gauge interest in the publication of children’s books and other materials to be written in Lánnang-uè.

The Lannang Wall

A public crowd-sourcing wall on various questions such as “What does it mean to be Lannang?” Post-its will be provided.

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