Talk: Why language change makes people angry – and why it shouldn’t, by Professor Sascha Stollhans 
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Talk: Why language change makes people angry – and why it shouldn’t, by Professor Sascha Stollhans 

19th November 2026
University Of Leeds

From new pronouns and texting abbreviations to slang, borrowed words, and changing grammar, language is constantly evolving. Yet every new development seems to provoke complaints that language is being ruined. But is it? In this thought-provoking talk, linguist Sascha Stollhans explores why language change generates such strong emotions. Why do people worry about linguistic change? Are today’s debates really new? Has any language ever stopped changing? And what can public arguments about language tell us about wider debates about identity, culture, and social change? Exploring examples from English, German, French, and beyond, this talk challenges some of our most deeply held assumptions about “good” and “bad” language. Along the way, you’ll discover that many features we now regard as perfectly normal were once condemned as mistakes. If you’ve ever been told that language is “getting worse”, this talk might just change your mind. 

Sascha Stollhans is Professor of Language Education and Linguistics as well as Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Student Education and Experience) in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures at the University of Leeds. 

This is a Leeds City of Languages Festival event. Check the full programme at leedscityoflanguages.leeds.ac.uk