Head 'em up, move 'em on!

It was a delight to curate an exhibition at the Adelaide Comic Convention and Toy Fair on April 21. The exhibition explored the languages and linguistics of comics in the Wild West, including la bande dessinée franco-belge, showcasing literature and memorabilia from the early 1900s to the present.

Click through via the above image to the Adelaide Comic and Toy Fair website for information about past exhibitions and event updates!

Comic books are a unique medium that combines illustrations and written words to tell stories that reflect cultural concerns and societal transformations.

Throughout the exhibition, I engaged with language teachers and visitors, discussing the use of language in comics, including context, stereotypes, representations, and controversies, and how they have influenced global society as well as using sequential art, improvisation, and drama as communication mediums in the second-language classroom.

 I look forward to an informative and engaging series of presentations during the next stages of my national speaking tour!

Success, Success!

My recent speaking tour in Melbourne, Victoria, was a success!

I presented Masterclasses to university lecturers and school teachers, teaching them how to use sequential art, language meditation, improvisation, and drama as communication mediums in the second language classroom. 

Stuart is seen here at St Aloysius College in Melbourne, Victoria, discussing his thesis research into Franco-Belgian comics and their impact on global society. The presentation also covered how these works can be used as a communication medium in second-language classrooms.

Here we have Stuart, engaging reception to year 7 children in the School of Languages Languages Alive program, with his French language teachings. He introduced his innovative class, Language in Action, to educators and students, showcasing how sequential art, improvisation, and drama can be used as effective communication tools in the second language classroom.

 

Stuart is seen here demonstrating improvisation during an English language class to international students and professionals.

Stuart's linguistics presentations about Japanese animation for schools are enjoyed across age demographics!

Stuart's national speaking tour of Australia attracts many scholars and enthusiasts of linguistics and popular culture to his presentations!During his thesis speaking engagements, Stuart discusses sequential art and the influence of visual storytelling on global society.

To find out more about the program, click through via the above image to contact me about a package to suit your educational institution!

tlhIngan Hol Dajatlh'a'

It's official!

After a fun interview with ABC Radio Melbourne about languages and linguistics, I was excited to launch Australia's pioneering language curriculum designed specifically for students studying languages created for the entertainment industry.

Presenting module one to an engaged audience at WEA education institution in Adelaide, South Australia on March 16 was exhilarating.

The WEA education institution boasts a language program larger than any tertiary institution in Adelaide, with 25 languages on offer, and I'm delighted to head up the Constructed language program.

The course analyses constructed languages. It classifies them into Auxiliary Languages (Auxlangs), such as Esperanto, Ido and Volapük, and Artistically-constructed Languages (Artlangs), such as Klingon, Quenya, High Valyrian, and Dothraki, providing knowledge in a language such as greetings; introduction, emotion, and a farewell; unique characteristics; and the influence of the language family on global society.

In the images above, I presented a linguistic workshop, Language in Action ©Stuart A Blair, where students learning a second language create a story sequentially and act out their adventure using the target language.

Qapla'

Are you ready to unlock your imagination?

My book project progresses at warp speed, and I will soon unleash Paris and Freddie's first adventure!

The Adventures of Paris and Freddie is an exciting bilingual storybook adventure in French and English set in the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, including Auslan, Australian sign language.

Special thanks to The Adventures of Paris and Freddie Illustrator Jo Hassam at joannahassam.art for this stunning image of our courageous crew!

Click through to the Paris and Freddie Facebook page for updates as we close in on an early 2024 Book launch!

AnimeGo, what fun!

The AnimeGO Japan Pop Culture Festival attracted thousands of pop culture fans during the day-long event, as part of the annual Oz Asia Festival on October 29.

I had a fantastic attendance during my linguistic presentation about the influence of Anime and Manga on global society.

Thanks to Mr Matt Bushell for this beautiful testimony post-speaking presentation at AnimeGo Japanese Pop Culture Festival in Adelaide.

Stuart delivered a presentation on Japanese manga and anime and its influence on Western pop culture at our AnimeGO festival in 2023. He is lively, visually entertaining, engaging, and an expert in not only pop culture but also languages and their relationship to culture. Stuart also offered an in-person ‘meet-and-greet’ with the audience after the presentation, which was a great chance for the festival attendees to ask questions.

Matt Bushell
Project manager
AnimeGo
Japanese Pop Culture Festival

Thanks to all who visited my expo stand pre and post-presentation!