While Brandeis doesn’t have many traditions, a conversation that seems to be at the forefront of the collective mind, the All Languages Dinner, is certainly an event that falls into this category. Starting in 2013, the event consists of a dinner with all 13 languages offered at Brandeis coming together to speak in any language other than English. Each department has a table which offers cultural food, games and more related to the language’s culture. The dinner offers students of all skill levels an opportunity to practice their language of study with other speakers.
In addition to the individual meals, there is a central meal offered to the first 10 students who register from each department. This year, the central meal consisted of pizza, pasta and salad. While the line to get the food was long, it did provide a time to attempt to speak across the language barrier. An experience that is far funnier than exasperating; I thought it would be easier to communicate in German with a Hebrew speaker than it was.
The event grows each year in terms of both student involvement and department offerings. Comparing this year’s event with photos of events in the past, it is obvious to see that both language professors and students have embraced the All Languages Dinner as part of the Brandeis Language Department’s traditions.
