19 interpretations of language
Across campus, Western departments explain how their fields understand communication, meaning and expression
Story by Carlos Braga
Published April 7, 2026
Language is subjective, with interpretations varying based on expertise and field of study. Here’s what language means to some departments at Western Washington University.
To Andy Klein, chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, “language includes both how we define what a system should do and how we specify it precisely enough to implement. We must move fluently between the human language of ethics, tradeoffs and requirements, and the machine language of math, logic and code. Ultimately, an engineer's job is to translate intent into action without losing meaning in the process.”
To Michael Slouber, chair of the Department of Global Humanities and Religions, language “(in) the humanities tell the story of thousands of years of human striving to preserve our best ideas, values and knowledge systems in the form of original texts and works of art … Our students study primary sources in English translation and with an eye to understanding their historical context; our world-class faculty are trained to study sources in over 20 original languages in their research, including Amharic, Arabic, Aramaic, Chinese, Danish, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Kinyarwanda, Latin, Nepali, Prakrit, Sanskrit, Spanish, Swahili, Syriac and Tigrinya.”
To Christina Keppie, director of the Center of Canadian-American Studies, “language is integral to one’s sense of belonging and identity. In Canada, language politics holds an important space in understanding issues of nationalism among French speakers and cultural minorities. As a Canadian myself, I cannot separate my French and English bilingualism from my personal values.”
To John Gialanella, chair of the Department of Design, language “extends beyond the meaning of specific words to encompass the full visual field. Typography, hierarchy, spacing, color and imagery function as a kind of syntax and vocabulary, guiding perception and shaping understanding. In our field, fluency means knowing how to intentionally construct these elements to communicate clearly, persuasively and responsibly.”
To Emi Bushelle, director of the East Asian Studies program, the “multidisciplinary program combines linguistic study with anthropological, historical, literary and sociological approaches to give students a holistic understanding of East Asian cultures. Language is thus at the core of East Asian Studies, and a gateway to a deeper appreciation of this important world region.”
To Lysa Rivera, chair of the Department of English, “language is everything — it’s how we make sense of the world, challenge ideas, and connect with one another across time and culture. In our department, we see language not just as a tool for communication, but as a living force that both shapes and is shaped by the societies that use it … Ultimately, we believe that understanding language means understanding what it means to be human.”
To Lucas Walker, a writing instructor for the Department of Accounting, language is important in that “accountants need to explain and articulate complicated concepts and processes to people with a wide range of technical experience. Learning to do this succinctly means appreciating communication as a craft — in a clear and concise business memo or to the person sitting across the table.”
To Ryan Wasserman, chair of the Department of Philosophy, “philosophers of language are primarily interested in semantics (what words mean and how they get those meanings) as well as pragmatics (what we do with language that goes beyond literal meaning — as when we insinuate rather than say). Philosophers aim to provide general theories of these things and to work out the implications of those views for various debates in ethics, logic and other areas of philosophy.”
To Amir Abedi, chair of the Department of Political Science, “language is the bridge that turns ideas into influence and allows people to make sense of power, identity and community. For the political science department, it’s the core instrument through which scholars debate institutions, analyze political behavior and communicate research that shapes public understanding. Together, language becomes both a tool and a responsibility — something we use to question, clarify and contribute to a more informed political world.”
To Kristin Denham, chair of the Department of Linguistics, “the goal of linguistics is to understand the system of rules underlying human knowledge of language. Linguists seek to discover what we, as speakers or signers of languages, must know in order to produce and understand a language.”
To Sandy Branson, director of the Nursing Program, “language shows up in words, silence, touch, movement and simple presence. It is through language that life is understood, dignity is preserved and meaning is held across the entire human journey, from the first cry to the final breath.”
To Ed Love, chair of the Department of Finance and Marketing, “language shapes how we think. Words can be thought of as shorthand for entire networks of meaning in our minds … This affects the field of marketing in so many ways. Product names, a key component of branding, are chosen for what they connotate and thereby communicate … Marketers choose their language carefully so as to resonate in different ways with consumers and others.”
To the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, “language is being able to connect with other people and be a part of a community … Language is access to communication, allowing access to a robust and meaningful life. Language skills can support a person's development of agency, self-determination and self-advocacy. They contribute to the unique expression of each person’s experience of life.”
To Darrin Magee, director of the Institute for Energy Studies, language “means understanding the difference between power and energy, between impossibility and inevitability, between efficiency and profligacy. Terms like ‘clean energy,’ ‘renewable energy,’ and ‘energy transition’ have become politically loaded, but they needn't be. Being thoughtful with our language and attentive to the language and concerns of those who may not share our views can open up spaces for recognizing where we do, in fact, have common goals of clean air, clear waters, abundant energy and promising futures for all.”
To the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, “learning a language is the primary gateway to understanding the cultures and values of those who speak it. Learning a language fosters empathy, respect, and appreciation of the richness found across diverse cultures. By embracing linguistic and cultural diversity, we can find creative solutions to problems and challenges of both local and global scope. As world language educators, we believe these are values that make our communities, and ourselves, stronger.”
To Aaron Perzigian, chair of the Department of Education Leadership and Inclusive Teaching, “language holds power to propel individuals forward … but also holds power in further marginalization of certain groups … Think about this: How often have you heard language used to justify different treatment of different people in different places for different futures? Thus, as the field of special education continues to evolve, so does the language in law, policy, and practice to (hopefully) convey true inclusion, rather than token, ‘mainstreaming’ as was once the term.”
To Brian J. Bowe, chair of the Department of Journalism, “language is central to human communication, and everything we do in the department revolves around it. Words are the primary tools used by journalists and public relations practitioners. Sounds and images can be used to make meaning, and they have their own sort of grammar. All our classes focus on mastering the craft of symbolic communication. Ultimately, they’re all about language.”
To Susan Haines, director of the Department of Theatre and Dance, “dancers know the power that lies in movement and in the authentic human connection that comes from the shared language of moving together. However, the ideas surrounding dance as a language are typically reduced to the idea that movement is solely used for the emotional expression of the performer — with the audience as the interpreter of these emotions. This only scratches the surface of the body's power to communicate."
To Susan Costanzo, chair of the Department of History, “as in other academic fields, language is the moment when individuals share, test, and then develop their ideas more deeply. It is fundamental to any scholarly and learning endeavor. The exchange occurs in both verbal and written media.”