Domestic Violence - in language, myths, and fairy stories

Ian McMillan is joined by former US Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Natasha Trethewey, the poet Louise Fazackerley, linguist Deborah Cameron and singer Kathryn Williams to explore the language that feeds into domestic violence, and the images, myths and fairy stories that can help us cope with it, and prevent it.

Natasha Trethewey Natasha is a former US poet Laureate and a Pulitzer Prize winner. She brings tenderness, compassion, and forensic attention to language in her new memoir ‘Memorial Drive’ (Memorial Drive), an account of growing up with violence in the home, and of her mother’s killing at the hands of her stepfather. Natasha explores the layers of silence that surround intimate violence – the way children’s speech is often disregarded, even if they overcome their own silencing.

Kathryn Williams Kathryn Williams is one of the most subtle singer-songwriters of her generation, crafting songs which balance strength and delicacy. Here she performs a special rendition of ‘Wolf’ from her album ‘Old Low Light’ ,recorded in lockdown, and speaks about the circumstances that inspired it for the first time. Kathryn’s back catalogue is available in the limited edition ‘Anthology’.

Louise Fazackerley Louise was one of The Verb’s New Voices in 2014 – and her work has never shied away from difficult territory – described by one reviewer as razor-sharp and visceral, she is also a brilliant performer of her work. Louise reads ‘Women’s Refuge’ from the collection ‘Bird St’ and an extract from her new collection ‘The Lolitas’ (Verve Poetry Press) .

Deborah Cameron Professor Deborah Cameron researches language and communication at the University of Oxford – she has a blog called 'Language: a feminist guide' – recent posts include commentary on dieting, the word ‘lad’ and the ‘tone’ of voice ascribed to women https://debuk.wordpress.com/ . She is the author of ‘The Myth of Mars and Venus’.