Semarang, June 23, 2026 – The Master of Linguistics Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Diponegoro University, held a Visiting Professor activity on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. This activity presented renowned academic and writer, Soe Tjen Marching, who delivered a lecture entitled “Language, Power, and Collective Memory.”
In his presentation, Soe Tjen Marching explained that language not only functions as a means of communication but also plays a role in shaping how people think, understand reality, and remember historical events. Through various cross-cultural examples and historical studies, participants were encouraged to understand how the choice of words, terms, and narratives can influence a society’s collective perception of the past.
The discussion also highlighted the relationship between language, power, media, and the formation of public discourse. Various terms that emerged in Indonesian history, particularly related to the events of 1965, were discussed as examples of how language can be used to construct, maintain, and transform social memory. Furthermore, participants were encouraged to reflect on the challenges of the digital era, where algorithms and online media play a role in shaping public narratives.
The event was enthusiastically attended by lecturers, students, and linguistics observers. Through the Visiting Professor program, the Master of Linguistics at Diponegoro University remains committed to presenting cutting-edge academic perspectives and broadening the academic community’s insights into relevant linguistic and societal issues.