The Poetry Translation Centre is delighted to announce the return of Mother Tongue Other Tongue to the London region in 2016. The competition is free and open to 8-18 year olds (Years 4-13) at mainstream and supplementary schools in the Greater London area. Winners will be invited to regional and national celebration events, and their work will be published on the Poetry Translation Centre’s website. Mother Tongue Other Tongue is a multi-lingual poetry project designed to celebrate cultural diversity and the many languages spoken in Great Britain’s schools. It is a national Laureate Education project supported by the Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy.
Differences in language and culture are often considered to be barriers to communication but the language of poetry is read all over the world and all cultures have their own poets and poetry. In appreciating the poetry of others, or in sharing original poetry in their own language or in a language new to them, fledgling poets bring another perspective to an art form which can break down such perceived barriers.