Featured Speaker:  Ohio State Marion Professor of Psychology, Nikole Patson     

Language is how we connect with our families, our neighbors, and our world. But it’s not a perfect tool. With over 7,000 languages spoken globally, and countless varieties of English alone, communication can be both wonderfully rich and occasionally confusing. Even within English, no two speakers sound exactly alike. The way I speak as a professor at Ohio State Marion is shaped by my roots near Flint, Michigan, and all the places I’ve lived since. In this talk, we’ll explore the beautiful diversity of English varieties spoken across communities and generations. We’ll look at how reading helps us find common ground, and how local efforts, like the work of Let’s Read 20, are helping build a stronger, more connected community of readers right here in Marion. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or just curious about language, this conversation is for you.