Southeast Asian Culture Showcased at Poetry Night

By Maria Gallucci

Nov. 2, 2006. An exchange of language and poetry took place Nov. 2 as students and faculty of Ohio University gathered in Galbreath Chapel to celebrate the cultures of Southeast Asia.

Southeast Asian Poetry Night is an opportunity for international students to share their native cultures with the audience and other students. It also gives American students a chance to practice their language of study while incorporating its cultural elements.

The event was sponsored by Southeast Asian Studies and the Southeast Asian Studies Association. The Southeast Asian languages and cultures represented that night include Khmer, Tagalog, Indonesian, Thai, Cambodian, Vietnamese and Malaysian. Participants also dressed in native clothing, wearing silk embroidered hats and dresses and brightly printed cloths.

“Poetry Night gives students and the audience first-hand exposure to each culture and offers a different perspective not found inside the classroom,” said Katie McWhorter, graduate student and president of the Southeast Asian Studies association.

For American students studying Indonesian and Thai, the poetry night was a chance to gain confidence in their language skills and to put their knowledge to use, said Maryani Maryani, a third-year graduate student from Indonesia.

Maryani and her three Indonesian 211 students recited a poem they had written in English and translated into Indonesian.

Performing in front of an audience was a great experience, said Kristin Dunksy of the poem recital.

Molly Roth, also a student of Maryani, said writing and translating a poem was good practice for their language skills.

“(Poetry Night) is a chance to express yourself, and also (a chance) to see what other people have to share from their countries,” said Anton Wiranata, a graduate student from Indonesia. He added that the event was also a refreshing opportunity to meet new people and to take a break from studying.

Source: http://www.internationalstudies.ohio.edu/news-events/newsletter/newsbriefs-03.htm