ALS 02/2, May 2002
The Treasurer, Doug Absalom, has spent quite a bit of time recently chasing up members who have not paid their fees since last century, literally. He has sent e-mails to all those whose e-mail addresses are known, and is about to send letters to the others. Anyone who has 1999 next to their name on the address label of the current journal will receive no more. The Society exists because of its financial members - make sure you're one of them! If you're not sure of your status, and can't find the address label of the most recent journal, contact Doug on his new e-mail address, Doug.Absalom-at-newcastle.edu.au.
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Don't forget that the Proceedings of the 2001 Conference of the ALS are now available on the web at http://linguistics.anu.edu.au/ALS2001/proceedings.html.
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We are very pleased to announce two new appointments to the Linguistics Program at Monash University. Dr Anna Margetts and Dr Julie Bradshaw will both commence in second semester. They will be joining Keith Allan (currently Program Convenor), Heather Bowe, and Margaret Florey. We are also looking forward to the appointment of the Foundation Chair in Linguistics later in the semester. Meanwhile, we are glad to have Dr Jim Hlavac and Georgina Heydon assisting with lecturing on full-time contracts this semester. Jim is a graduate of the Linguistics Department, and Georgina submitted her PhD for examination in early March. Also among our postgraduate students, Marisa Cordella was recently awarded her PhD, Anna Filipi is awaiting confirmation of her Examiners' reports, and Iwa Lukmana submitted his PhD thesis for examination in February.
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The State of the Environment Report by Environment Australia has now posted its subreports on the Web, one of them being 'The State of Indigenous languages related to cultural heritage', available at http://www.ea.gov.au/soe/2001/heritage/pubs/part07.pdf.
This summary report is based on a research paper commissioned by Environment Australia. The research paper (McConvell and Thieberger (2001) The State of Indigenous Languages In Australia) will be available as a pdf document from the AIATSIS website in May.
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Johnson Welem Haan, 'The Grammar of Adang: A Papuan Language Spoken on the Island of Alor, East Nusa Tenggara Indonesia'. PhD thesis. Supervisor, William Foley. To contact the author: e-mail: wem_haan2001-at-yahoo.com.
Abstract: The thesis is a descriptive grammar of the author's native language. Syntactically, Adang is a verb final (SOV) language with a proliferation of serial verb constructions (SVCs). There are many forms and constructions, the interpretation of which is heavily context dependent (various determiners, spatial deictics, locational and directional verbs. and determining or index verbs). An area of special interest is the interaction between word order and morphology in the expression of information structure (focus and topic), and the related use of spatial deictics, determiners and pronouns and their distribution in the sentence.
Professor Anne Pakir, National University of Singapore, has spent several months visiting the Department.
Brett Baker has finished his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Sydney and moved to a position at the University of New England.
This is advance notice that the University of Sydney is likely to be offering three-year SESQUI postdoctoral fellowships again. Applications are normally in August. In the meantime, people with strong publication records are warmly encouraged to contact staff members in the Department with related interests well in advance, to discuss possible projects. The Department has been rather successful in the past in sponsoring applications - Mark Donohue, Elke Teich, David Rose and Ilana Mushin have all received fellowships. We also encourage interested people to discuss ARC postdoc applications with us.
Check out our web-page to find out the research interests of our staff. http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/departs/linguistics/ling/people/acstaff.html.
Workshop on Tense, aspect, modality and evidentiality in Indigenous languages of Australia and the Pacific, Macquarie University, Sydney, July 19th 2002
This workshop is being run in conjunction with Lauri Carlson's Australian Linguistics Institute Discourse Semantics course. We hope to explore the meanings in discourse of tense, aspect, modality and evidentiality forms. We are also interested in papers on the split expression of these markers on complex predicates (coverbs, serial verbs, auxiliaries etc.).
Abstracts are now on the web, but there may be room for some more papers. http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/~jansimps/tame/index.htm.
If you would like to take part in the workshop and make a presentation, please e-mail Jane Simpson with an abstract.
If you are already enrolled in the Australian Linguistics Institute, you don't need to enrol in the workshop. If you just want to attend the workshop, enrol as a day participant in the ALI. http://www.ling.mq.edu.au/ali/.
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An open letter from postgraduate students to the ALS membership.
Given
In the long run it is the documentation that will prove more valuable for linguistic analysis than the traditional PhD. At present we have to rely on the writer of a PhD nearly 100% for some languages - and certainly 100% if the language is now gone.
While the current system values language analysis, it places no value on linguistic data management, nor on safely archiving recorded materials.
Louise Baird - ANU
Claire Bowern - Harvard
Nicolette Bramley - UC/ANU
Pascale Jacq - ANU
Anthony Jukes - Melbourne Uni
Doug Marmion - ANU
Stephen Morey - Monash Uni
Adam Paliwala - Sydney Uni
Carol Priestley - ANU
Adam Saulwick - Melbourne Uni
St John Skilton - Sydney Uni
Nick Thieberger - Melbourne Uni
Myfany Turpin - Sydney Uni
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Patrick McConvell (AIATSIS) has received a grant of US $15000 from the Wenner-Gren Foundation for the ARCLING II conference to be held October 1-4 in Canberra.
Program and registration details will be placed on the website shortly at http://crlc.anu.edu.au/arcling2/.
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Macquarie University has appointed Christian Mathiessen as its new Professor of Linguistics.
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John Newman, currently Senior Lecturer at Massey University in New Zealand been appointed Professor and Chair, Department of Linguistics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He will take up the position on August 1.
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Linguistics UNE is delighted to announce the appointment of Brett Baker to an 18 month position in our Department. Brett will be involved in a range of undergraduate teaching roles, and developing a unit for the online MA in Applied Linguistics, in addition to furthering his research in phonology.
Less than 1 year since the program commenced, UNE's new online MA in Applied Linguistics now has over 90 students enrolled in the program, undertaking their studies from 15 different countries. Any enquiries should be addressed to Karen Woodman (course co-ordinator) on kwoodman-at-metz.une.edu.au
Congratulations to Assoc Prof Cliff Goddard who at UNE's March 2002 Arts graduation was awarded the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research. The VC paid tribute to Cliff's highly original work in the area of semantics and noted that his continuing international links and his research grant successes have raised UNE's profile as a centre of excellence in languages generally and Aboriginal languages specifically.
Brother John Giacon's work with the Walgett Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay Language Program has resulted in the recent publication of a new book titled 'We are speaking Gamilaraay & Yuwaalaraay'.
The Gamilaraay language, once spoken around Walgett - Tamworth - Moree - Coonabarabran, is currently being taught in schools in Walgett, Goodooga and Lightning Ridge. Brother John Giacon has been working as the project administrator on the new book for the past 18 months, while completing his Honours degree in Linguistics at UNE.
The new book comes with a CD which contains audio files of spoken words, sometimes carefully excised from spoken text recorded in the 1970s with two of the last speakers of Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay. The book gives the Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay words for body parts, family and animals. The project has gained strong support and input from Gamilaraay community elders.
In an ABC news report, the organiser of the teaching aid, Don Lillyman, says it will make an excellent addition to the schools' teaching programs. 'On the CD we've got extracts from tapes recorded in the '70s of people who were very fluent in Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay and we were able to get extracts from them explaining what the words were, how they are pronounced and what they mean,' he said. 'There's been a revival in language and cultural activities for indigenous people,' he said. 'Here in the Gamilaraay area we think we are at the forefront of language and cultural activity, we've got a good program here.' He says it has given indigenous students a sense of pride and ownership. 'We've got a couple of books published already, as well as dictionaries,' he said. 'There is a lot of interest in it and the children are enjoying it very much.'
The teaching aid was launched on May 7th in Walgett, and May 9th in Tamworth. It is available for $25, distributed through Narnia Bookshop, 352 Peel St, Tamworth, NSW, 2340.
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The Research Centre for Linguistic Typology at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, is home to a wide range of scholars who undertake intensive studies of previously undescribed (or barely described) languages. Building upon reliable descriptive studies, members of the Research Centre also work on inductive typological generalizations concerning the nature of human language. All of our work is in terms of basic linguistic theory (in preference to any of the formal theories of the day).
We welcome enquiries from similarly oriented scholars who would be interested in spending a sabbatical at RCLT. We can provide a room and a computer, plus an intellectual ambiance of the highest order.
For further information, please consult our website, http://www.latrobe.edu.au/rclt.
Anyone interested should write to RCLT's Associate Director, Alexandra Aikhenvald, at a.aikhenvald-at-latrobe.edu.au.
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The following is a list of publications relating to the study of language, received by the Reviews Editor of the Australian Journal of Linguistics. If you are interested in reviewing one of the following items, please contact Alan Libert at lnarl-at-cc.newcastle.edu.au. Note that it is not possible to return books to the publisher, and that acceptance of a book implies no promise that it will be reviewed. Reviews are printed as circumstances permit, and copies are sent to the publishers of the works reviewed.
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Expressions of interest are invited from linguists who may be interested in tutoring, marking and lecturing in Linguistics at Deakin University. Particular needs for second semester are in first year Linguistics ALG120 Exploring Texts to be taught at the Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool campuses. The teaching dates for semester 2 are: 22 July - 25 Oct. 2002. The non-teaching week is the first week of October 2002.
Please send a CV and letter expressing interest in sessional work specifying areas of interest, experience and preferences of location to:
Professor Michael Meehan
Head, School of Literary & Communication Studies
Faculty of Arts
Deakin University
Waurn Ponds, Geelong, Vic. 3217
OR electronically to his secretary, marilyn-at-deakin.edu.au
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University of Otago / Te Whare Wananga o Otago
Dunedin, New Zealand
Lecturer in Applied Linguistics (Confirmation Path)
Linguistics Programme, Department of English, School of Language, Literature and Performing Arts
Applications are invited from suitably qualified people for a confirmation path position of Lecturer in Applied Linguistics. Applicants should have a completed or nearly completed PhD, in second language acquisition, English for Specific Purposes (especially English for Academic Purposes) or other closely related areas, together with some teaching experience at tertiary level.
The successful candidate will teach courses in second language acquisition theory, language teaching methods and materials, and English for Academic Purposes, and will also supervise the research of postgraduate students in these and other closely related areas. Preference will be given to candidates with research publications and good teaching skills.
The position will be available from 6 January 2003, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Specific enquiries may be directed to Dr Jae Jung Song, Linguistics Programme Co-ordinator, Tel 64 3 479 8103, Fax 64 3 479 8558, Email jaejung.song-at-stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Reference Number: AG02/15, Closing Date: Wednesday 22 May 2002
For application information and a full job description go to: www.otago.ac.nz/jobs. Alternatively, contact the Human Resources Division, Tel 64 3 479 8269, Fax 64 3 474 1607, Email katherine.van-der-vliet-at-stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Equal opportunity in employment is University policy / E tautoko ana Te Whare Wananga o Otago i te kaupapa whakaorite whiwhinga mahi.
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Position 1: Based at Ngukurr Community, a dry community of about 1000 people affiliated with about 8-9 languages. The successful applicant would be required to complete some small projects using 2 or 3 of the languages and may be required to do some training of language workers. This position may require travel to neighbouring communities and outstations. Accommodation and a vehicle are available in the community.
Position 2: A teacher-linguist position is available at Pine Creek School. The successful applicant would be based in Katherine and would be primarily responsible for the IESIP Language in Schools program at Pine Creek School. This would require becoming familiar with the basics of the languages of Mayali and Wagiman. There is already a good supply of lesson plans and materials for the presentation of lessons one day a week at the school in collaboration with Language speakers. The school has both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students. The applicant would also be required to assist with the completion of a number of small language projects, mostly office-based, but with some community travel involved.
Essential for both positions:
If you are interested, or know of anyone who is interested, please contact the Coordinator, Robin Hodgson, at dacadmin-at-nt-tech.com.au or phone 08 89711233.
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Research Fellow position at Stockholm University
(Note: The official application deadline has passed; contact Eleanor Wikborg immediately if interested.)
Web site: http://www.insidan.su.se/ledigaanstallningar.php3?jobb=391.
Research Fellow Position with specialisation in English linguistics
Department of English
Stockholm University
Stockholm
Sweden
Application deadline: 30 April, 2002
Contact person: Prof. Eleanor Wikborg, eleanor.wikborg-at-english.su.se
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Organised by University of NSW/hosted by Macquarie University Saturday 13 - Sunday 14 July, 2002
Website: http://www.arts.unsw.edu.au/als2002
The 2002 Australian Linguistic Society Conference will be held at Macquarie University in Sydney from Saturday 13th to Sunday 14th July, 2002 (the middle weekend of the Australian Linguistics Institute). The conference is being organised by the Linguistics Department of the University of New South Wales, but will be held at Macquarie University. The conference will run parallel to the Applied Linguistics Association of Australia Conference (and for a small additional fee ALS delegates may attend any papers of their choosing at the ALAA conference).
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Don't forget that the Sixth Biennial Australian Linguistics Institute will be held 8th-12th and 15th-19th July 2002, at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. There are a wide range of courses at different levels, with national and international presenters. A number of conferences will also be held in association with ALI 2002.
For details on ALI2002, check the webpage at http://www.ling.mq.edu.au/ali/.
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Following on from the successful RCLT workshops at the ANU in 1997 and in 1998 and at La Trobe in 2000 and 2001, there will be an International Workshop on 'Adjective Classes', from Monday 12th until Satruday 17th August 2002. Auditors are welcome, at no fee (but note that we are unable to organise accommodation for auditors). The position paper for the workshop, by R.M.W. Dixon, can be accessed on the RCLT website, http://www.latrobe.edu.au/www/rclt; further details of precise dates, times and locations of each paper will be available at the same site closer to August.
The following papers will be presented at the Workshop:
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| President | Michael Walsh (Sydney) | mjw-at-mail.usyd.edu.au |
| Vice-Presidents | Verna Rieschild (Macquarie) | vrieschi-at-ling.mq.edu.au |
| Rachel Nordlinger (Melbourne) | R.Nordlinger-at-linguistics.unimelb.edu.au | |
| Peter Peterson (Newcastle) | lnpgp-at-alinga.newcastle.edu.au | |
| Secretary | John Henderson (UWA) | jkh-at-cyllene.uwa.edu.au |
| Treasurer | Doug Absalom (Newcastle) | doug.absalom-at-newcastle.edu.au |
| Journal Editors | Toni Borowsky (Sydney) | Toni.Borowsky-at-linguistics.usyd.edu.au |
| Mark Harvey (Newcastle) | mharvey-at-mail.newcastle.edu.au | |
| (Reviews) Alan Libert (Newcastle) | lnarl-at-alinga.newcastle.edu.au | |
| Newsletter Editor | Tim Curnow (La Trobe) | T.Curnow-at-latrobe.edu.au |
| Postgrad Student Rep | Nick Thieberger (Melbourne) | n.thieberger-at-pgrad.unimelb.edu.au |
The ALS Newsletter is published four times per year. This is the second issue for 2002. The next issue (02/3) will come out in mid August 2002. Copy will be due on the first Monday in August. If you would like to be on the email list for a reminder that the date is approaching, contact the Newsletter Editor.
Please send copy, and any queries, comments or suggestions to Tim Curnow (T.Curnow-at-latrobe.edu.au).
The ALS publishes a journal, the Australian Journal of Linguistics (AJL) twice a year. The latest issue is 22/1, which you should have just received or be about to receive. The journal is published by Carfax (Taylor & Francis), http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/carfax/07268602.html.
Correspondence regarding papers and reviews should be sent to any of the editors or the reviews editor (contact details in office bearers section).
In general, subscriptions are due at the beginning of each calendar year, unless you pay for several years at a time. The year you are paid to is shown on the address label on the envelope your journal comes in. If you haven't paid at all this century, you won't be getting any more journal issues ...
A form is available on the website to renew your subscription.
This may be a good time to remind you that apart from email addresses, there is only one membership list and that is maintained by the Treasurer, Doug Absalom. If you need to change your address or make other enquiries, please do it through him.