How languages move us: Reflections on linguistic diversity at King's

Why do some languages say go out, others say something similar to exit, and others present both options, like English? What does it mean that in one language you can run into a room, while in another you must break that action down into two components – entering and running? And what can these subtle differences tell us about the way we see and move through the world? 

These were just some of the questions explored at Crossing Boundaries: Celebrating Linguistic Diversity at King’s, an interactive workshop that brought together students from diverse backgrounds to reflect on how language shapes our experience of movement and space. Organised by Andrea Farina and Dr Barbara McGillivray (King’s College London), with artistic direction by Gioele Morello (London Metropolitan University).  The event was funded by a Diversity & Inclusion Grant from the Faculty of Arts & Humanities.

London: A city of languages

London is one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world, and this richness is reflected in the student body here at King’s. While the 2011 Census was the first to ask residents to name their main language, the reality of the city’s linguistic diversity is better understood through the lived experiences of its communities, highlighted in media features such as the BBC’s exploration of London’s linguistic landscape.

Despite this extraordinary variety, many of the languages spoken across the city are now at risk of disappearing. In response, Crossing Boundaries was conceived not just as a workshop, but as a celebration of the living linguistic diversity within the King’s community. More than that, it served as an urgent reminder that language is far more than a tool for communication – it is a way of thinking, perceiving, and being, deeply embedded in culture, continually shaping identity and shaped by it in return.

Language, motion and meaning

The event focused on comparing verbs denoting different types of movements – like English go, move, come, run, sail, swim – across a spectrum of ancient and modern languages, from Latin to Italian, Chinese, Korean, and Albanian. What emerged was a richer understanding of how languages carve up the world differently. 

Even a basic action like running into a room can be packaged in totally different ways depending on the language you speak. English, for example, tends to combine the manner of movement (run) with the path or direction (into the room) – a feature typical of so-called “satellite-framed” languages. In contrast, “verb-framed” languages like Spanish or Korean often express the path of motion in the main verb (enter), while the manner (running) may be optional, added separately or omitted altogether. So instead of “run into the room,” a speaker might simply say “entered the room”, unless the manner is particularly relevant. This distinction highlights how some languages naturally spotlight the how of movement, while others focus more on the where, shaping not only how we describe action, but how we conceptualise it. 

Paths of motion

A highlight of the day was the collaborative creation of Paths of Motion, an interactive art installation centred on the image of a hot air balloon symbolising linguistic fluidity, travel, and shared perspective. 

Participants contributed verbs of movements in different languages, such as Korean, Russian, Albanian, Mandarin Chinese, Greek, Italian, and Sanskrit. These were visually woven into the artwork, reflecting the multitude of ways languages describe journeys, directions, and transitions.

Produced by the Department of Digital Humanities, the artwork was adapted into multiple formats, including a digital version created using Canva and an animated GIF.

Final thoughts

In an academic environment where English often dominates, Crossing Boundaries offered a timely reminder of the value and beauty of linguistic diversity. As one student reflected, while English is often seen as a global lingua franca, it is increasingly recognised as a language that evolves and adapts locally – forming rich, hybrid varieties like Singlish or Chinglish. This growing awareness speaks to a broader concept of “super-diversity”, where language becomes a reflection of layered identities, histories, and cultures, rather than a single, uniform mode of expression. 

These kinds of events do more than foster academic curiosity, as they create space for empathy, inclusion, and pride in linguistic heritage. As we continue to navigate an increasingly globalised world, understanding the languages around us becomes a step toward deeper human connection.