SIMPSON BAY, St. Martin (October 6, 2014)—Educator Dr. Rhoda Arrindell will be the featured guest of the “Afternoon With the Authors” here at Royal Palm Hotel, on October 12, from 4 PM–6 PM, said Arrindell’s publisher HNP.
The Melly Mel book club will host the affair. “Guests will have the distinct privilege of hearing the author share highlights about her new book, Language, Culture, and Identity in St. Martin,” said Melly Mel.
The book club is part of a lifestyle forum with features ranging “from books to fragrances to women’s empowerment to coffee to shoes and more,” according to its Facebook page.
There will also be “the opportunity to interact with Dr. Rhoda Arrindell during the question and answer and comment segment,” said Melly Mel. The organizer promises a “majestic” Sunday afternoon that will also include poetry and words of encouragement.
The “Afternoon With the Authors,” the second since last June, is a free event but persons wishing to attend must RSVP via inbox at facebook.com/MajesticMovement by Wednesday, October 8 to reserve seating, as space is limited, said Melly Mel. The forum has an online fan base of over 250 people.
A leading linguist on the island, Dr. Arrindell will discuss the history of language contact and ethnicity in St. Martin where, according to her book, “The major languages spoken … are English, Spanish, French-lexified Creole, French, Dutch, and Papiamentu respectively. These are in addition to Hindi, Chinese, Arabic, and others, which children speak as their first language. By the time they get to grade school, most if not all, St. Martin children have already acquired the popular English-lexified vernacular.”
The book’s chapter on language policy issues “toward a national identity,” and whether success or failure in education is related to bilingualism and multilingualism in St. Martin, will be touched on by the author and open for audience discussion, said HNP president Jacqueline Sample.
Language, Culture, and Identity in St. Martin by Rhoda Arrindell is available at Van Dorp, Arnia’s, Shipwreck, and Amazon.com. Copies will be available at Melly Mel’s “Afternoon With the Authors” on Sunday for book signing by the author. Light refreshments will be served.