Alice White

Do you speak my language? (DYSML?) loudly celebrates the many languages spoken everyday across the UK. It was conceived as a protest print against a racist sign titled’ Happy Brexit Day’ that was put up in communal hallways on 31st January 2020. The inward-looking, disheartening and polarising sign demanded that all residents speak the ‘Queen’s English’ or leave.

​

Through DYSML? I have invited friends and colleagues to translate this phrase into their mother tongue or another language that they speak. I am turning these translations into prints, which will also contribute to a collaborative artwork that incorporates all participating languages.

Participants are invited to share the project with a friend who speaks a language different from their own to further amplify our collective voices.

​

So far languages include: Chinese, English, French, Greek, Italian, Polish, Spanish, Swahili and Welsh.

If you would like to participate in the project, please contact me. 

​

Many thanks to current contributors: Dela Anderson, Ania Bas, Sophia Berry, Philip Bull, Olivia Nanono, Xiaoyi Nie, Natascha Rimo and Angela White.

'Our true nationality is humanity.' (Moeed Ahmed adapted from H.G. Wells quote)

​

DYSML is currently featuring in New North Press' 'Reverting to Type 2020' online exhibition. You can see the other works here.