On September 19th, Wigan Libraries revived their beloved evenings with a fantastic series of insightful talks, all accompanied by a beloved fish and chip supper. Jan Porteous, a poet, writer, and retired teacher of Modern Foreign Languages and English, delivered a fun poetry evening titled The Joy of Words, exploring how the alphabet, through words, letters, and sounds, can both amuse and astound us.

Jan shared her admiration for the power of language, both professionally and personally, emphasising how words can be crafted. She is currently working on an anthology of poems that explore the words, sounds, and meanings behind each letter of the alphabet. As she spoke to the audience, she highlighted how every word is nothing short of miraculous, with letters serving as marks and lines that create the meanings and sounds we express.

In a fun, interactive session reminiscent of Blankety Blank, Jan engaged the audience with some interesting wordplay. Participants were tasked with guessing the definitions of three presented words, which really got them thinking about the origins of language. Each definition read aloud by the audience sounded so convincing! The tension was palpable, with some definitions creating a split in the room. This activity perfectly highlighted the fascinating influences of words and their meanings.

We were treated to previews of Jan’s poetry, which she is in the process of getting published. One poem, aptly titled ‘The Glory of G,’ created a rush of sounds and syllables, showcasing the triumphant nature of the letter G. Reading small snippets of Jan’s work highlighted the power of language and the joy of exploring its many facets, from words to sounds. True to her teaching style, Jan provided us with worksheets to help us understand how she constructed her poem. As a former English major, I was surprised at how baffled I felt answering the questions! It truly gave me and my writing group partner Sharon a run for our money. All in all, it was a delightful mix of laughter and exploration of language.

The night concluded with the beloved fish and chip supper, buzzing with conversation about words and language. The questions that arose after the talk and during supper highlighted how Jan’s work could inspire children, especially those across all educational levels, to engage with language in fresh and innovative ways. I believe that if I had experienced a session or talk from Jan during my school years, it would have offered a new perspective on language in all its forms.

Jan Porteous delivered an educational, engaging, and enigmatic talk that inspired the audience to appreciate the alphabet and discover the wonder of words and laughter in language. I truly believe she has a bright future ahead, particularly in her efforts to inspire people to fall in love with language, words, and sounds, and to see how captivating they can be. The Joy of Words may very well be the subject that allows language to be appreciated fully once again.