In Botswana, the perceptions of HIV/AIDS vary by communities and differ in the ways locals refer to and label the disease. These conflicting attitudes have become a hindrance in the fight against this deadly disease.

Joyce Mathangwane, associate professor of language and linguistics at the University of Botswana, will share her insights while giving West Virginia University’s annual Jackson Distinguished Lecture on April 8 at 11:30 a.m. in 130 Colson Hall.

Mathangwane’s lecture, “People’s Perceptions of HIV/AIDS as Portrayed by their Labels of the Disease: The Case of Botswana,” will examine different labels used to reference HIV/AIDS in Botswana, the perceptions of the local communities and how attitudes are not helping to stop the spread of the disease.

Mathangwane has conducted a study on what influences these labels and teaches courses on the phonology and morphology of the English language.

In addition to doing research on the Bantu languages, her interests include social aspects of HIV/AIDS.

She is also author of numerous articles and a book, “Ikalanga Phonetics and Phonology.”

The event is sponsored by the department of English in the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.

For more information, contact Donald Hall, chair of the department of English, at 304-293-3100 or Donald.Hall@mail.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

lp/03/19/10

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