Independent scholar and language consultant Julia Penelope will be the graduate colloquium speaker this week for Women’s History Month, extending the March celebrations into April.

Penelope, who received her bachelor’s degree in linguistics in English and received a Ph.D in 1971 from the University of Texas at Austin, will head two seminars this week.

The first seminar, “Limited Reality Language: Sexism and the Rhetoric of Space Travel,” will be presented at 8 p.m. tonight at the Holmes Student Center’s Lincoln Room.

Brenda Hodges, program coordinator for the Women’s Studies Program & now celebrating its 20th year, said she is looking forward to the event. She added that Penelope, one of the first to teach women’s studies courses, will discuss her book “Speaking Freely: Unlearning the Lies of the Fathers’ Tongues.”

“Words do have real effects in the world, and understanding how the structure of English controls the way we think and act to our welfare as individuals and as a society,” Penelope said in a press release.

Hodges agreed.

“I just read her book over the weekend,” Hodges said. “She really dissects the English language.”

The book, completed in 1992, discusses how languages are made up of rules that let people communicate but hinder what is said and thought.

“It really makes you think twice about words you use every day,” Hodges said.

She added that the book covers how the English language was formed during the last 1,000 years.

“It’s definitely good for anyone in the department of English,” she said, adding that anyone interested in linguistics and history would benefit from the lecture.

The second seminar, “The Rhetoric of Community: Lesbians and Gay Men,” will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at DuSable Hall, Room 176.

In a press release, Penelope said she emphasizes the urgent need for people to acknowledge the forces of sexism and heterosexism that “stigmatize lesbians and render them invisible.”

All in all, Hodges said she thinks the lectures will be great for any student who wants to learn more about the way the English language affects the gay and lesbian community.

“I think it’s good for students to be aware of any type of oppression in our culture,” she said. “She certainly is an expert on the subject. I think she’ll do a really great lecture.”

Both lectures are free and open to the public. Sign language interpreters also will be available upon request. Those needing assistance can call 753-6515. For more information on the lectures, call the Women’s Studies Program at 753-1044.