NEWSLETTER
February 2008
Welcome to the latest Newsletter of the Australian Linguistic Society. As usual, the @ symbol in people's email addresses has been replaced with -at-, and clicking on any link will open that site in a new window.
Thanks to all those who contributed to this issue. Enjoy the Newsletter!
Tim Curnow
tjcurnow-at-ozemail.com.au
It's that time of year again when your annual membership fees are due. Fees remain the same as they were for last year, $50 for full membership, $60 for joint membership and $20 for student membership. There is a $5 discount applicable if the fees are paid before April 1. There is also the possibility of having your fees deducted 'automatically' each year at the discount price by sending your credit card details to the treasurer, Doug Absalom at 32 Murray Rd., Cardiff, NSW, 2285. Some "Auto" members who have new cards or new expiry dates should also contact Doug with their updated information. Payments can be made by cheque or credit card (Visa and Master only) to Doug at the above address, or else he can be contacted on email at Doug.Absalom-at-gmail.com.
Doug Absalom
Lingfest 2008 will be held at the Univeristy of Sydney from 30 June - 11 July 2008. Lingfest 2008 is a series of six events covering a wide range of topics in and approaches to the study of linguistics. The events will include plenary sessions, lectures, workshops and more. The following associations are participating in Lingfest 2008:
Check out the portal website http://www.lingfest.arts.usyd.edu.au/ for updates on LingFest08.
The first week includes the annual conferences of the Australian Linguistic Society (http://www.ling.mq.edu.au/clas/conferences.htm), the Applied Linguistics Association of Australia, the Austronesian Formal Linguistics Association, and the International Lexical Functional Grammar Association.
There will be workshops on Second Language Acquisition, Instrumentals, Interactional sociolinguistics, and Japanese.
In the second week the Australian Linguistics Institute will be held This is a five-day winter school of introductory and advanced intensive courses in linguistics and applied linguistics There will be an Indigenous Languages Institute (July 7, 2008 - July 11, 2008).
Information on the Australian Linguistics Institute programme is also now available through the portal, or http://escholarship.library.usyd.edu.au/conferences/index.php/LingFest2008/ALI/. Courses include
Students who wish to get credit for attending ALI and carrying out assessable tasks should talk to people at their own institutions as to how this may be done. Or they may enrol in the Winter School unit Cross-Cultural Communication LNGS7006 http://www.summer.usyd.edu.au/summer_winter/subjects.shtml at the University of Sydney if they wish to take particular combinations of the units. Contact Jane Simpson (jhs-at-mail.usyd.edu.au) for further information on this option.
Andrew Yip & Jane Simpson
OzPhon07 (Workshop on the Phonetics and Phonology of Australian Aboriginal languages), organized by Marija Tabain, was very successful, with about 30 participants from all over Australia and a great exchange and coming together of ideas. The programme can be found at http://www.latrobe.edu.au/linguistics/whats_on/workshop_dec07.html, and selected handouts/presentations/soundfiles can be found at http://www.latrobe.edu.au/linguistics/whats_on/ozphon07. OzPhon08 will be held in Brisbane as part of Interspeech: http://www.interspeech2008.org/index.html. There will be an oral session for OzPhon, and a poster session held in conjunction with PANZE (Phonetics of Australian and New Zealand English).
Tonya Stebbins is on OSP this semester, and will be spending it at the Research Centre for Linguistic Typology at La Trobe.
Alec Coupe has heavily revised and published his doctoral dissertation: Coupe, A.R. 2007. A grammar of Mongsen Ao. Mouton Grammar Library 39. Berlin and New York: Mouton de Gruyter. Details available at http://www.degruyter.com/cont/fb/sp/detailEn.cfm?id=IS-9783110190885-1.
Tania Strahan is at the Háskóla Íslands (The University of Iceland), in the Humanities Faculty, working with people in the Icelandic and English Departments, on a 12 month research postdoc from the Nordic MicroComparative Syntax (NORMS, http://norms.uit.no/) Project, which is a collaboration of seven main institutions across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, with its HQ in Tromsø, Norway. She is in the Syntactic Variation Group (led by Höskuldur Þráinsson), looking at syntactic variation in Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian and Faroese, in particular the variation associated with the different distributions of the possessive and objective reflexives.
We had several PhD completions:
Susan Douglas: “The semantic and syntactic development of verbs in the language of children with autism”
Abstract: This thesis investigates the acquisition of verbs in children with autism using an observational and an experimental study design. The observational study was primarily concerned with the semantic development of verbs, with a supplementary focus on prepositions. It was hypothesised that there would be evidence of atypical development in categories which encode concepts associated with cognitive impairments in children with autism such as psychological states. The corpus consisted of transcripts of conversational data from ten children with autism of varying ages and abilities. Verb use within semantic categories was profiled according to the following parameters: frequency of use within the individual lexicons of each child, expressed as a percentage of total verb use; lexical diversity; and, subjects encoded. Prepositions were analysed on the same criteria. The results indicate that, while often delayed, the path of semantic development does not appear to be atypical. It is argued that theory of mind ability appears to influence the rate of semantic development in children with autism.
In light of recent debate regarding the developmental relationship between language and cognition, the production of complex sentences with psychological state verbs by children with autism was examined. The data raised questions about the extent to which general cognitive development informs language acquisition. The experimental studies were chosen to further explore this issue. Five children with autism recruited for the observational study participated in three tasks: two experiments eliciting complex wh-questions and a theory of mind task. The results indicated that three children conformed to the syntactic constraints governing the formation of such questions, and two did so where the target questions could be elicited. Four of the five children passed the theory of mind task. The implications of the results from both studies for theories of language acquisition in autism and typical development are discussed.
Catherine Easton: “Discourses of orthography development: Community-based practice in Milne Bay (P.N.G.)”
Abstract: This thesis explores the roles of linguists and communities in language development. A case study of community-based orthography development in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, is used to illustrate the discursive frameworks active in linguistic and community processes of language development. The thesis aims to deepen our understanding of the conflicts that arise between linguists and community members, and considers how an understanding of the frameworks that produce the tensions underlying conflict can foster a situation of mutual learning and empowerment.
Copies of the thesis are available in PDF format from Tonya Stebbins (t.stebbins-at-latrobe.edu.au).
Ya-ting Chung: “Production Errors in L2 Chinese Speakers and the Reasons for their Occurrence”
Abstract: The aim of this thesis is to apply LaPolla’s (LaPolla & Poa 2002, LaPolla 2003) theory of Language as Constraints on Interpretation to explore the linguistic phenomena of the use of Chinese measure words and possessive structures by English-speaking learners of Chinese from pragmatic and sociolinguistic points of view. The purpose is to give better explanations for the occurrence of the linguistic phenomena of second language learning.
From the data of my study, I found that participants tend to use some particular patterns of language. I discuss the possible effects of first language and Chinese L2 instruction for L2 learning and apply LaPolla & Poa (2002) and LaPolla’s (2003) theory of Language as Constraints on Interpretation to explain the production phenomena of L2 learners using possessive structures and measure words. I conclude that the reason why second language learners produce errors mainly is the difference of habits of use of the two languages that are first and second languages, not the differences between two languages themselves.
In the last chapter (Chapter 6), the limitations of the study are discussed with a view to improvement of future research on this topic, and some suggestions are given to L2 researchers, L2 instructors, and L2 learners.
Randy LaPolla
Alexandra Y. Aikhenvald. and Dixon, R. M. W. eds. 2006. Grammars in Contact: a cross-linguistic typology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Dr Stephen Morey – awarded a three-year fellowship from the Volkswagen Stiftung, Germany, under their DoBeS program, for a multi-disciplinary project involving scholars from four countries: ‘The Traditional Songs and Poetry of Upper Assam – a Multifaceted Linguistic and Ethnographic Documentation of the Tangsa, Tai and Singhpo Communities in Margherita, Northeast India’ - €300,000 (=c AUD $500,000).
Dr Gerd Jendraschek – awarded a prestigious Charles La Trobe Research Fellowship for 2008-2011.
Roberto Zariquiey Biondi, a PhD student at RCLT, is undertaking fieldwork on Cashibo-Cacataibo (Panoan) in Peru, October 2007 - June 2008.
Siew-Peng Condon
The following is a list of publications relating to the study of language, received by the Reviews Editor of the Australian Journal of Linguistics. 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 in the Australian Journal of Linguistics. Reviews are printed as circumstances permit, and copies are sent to the publishers of the works reviewed. If you wish to review a book, please contact the Reviews Editor, Alan Libert (Alan.Libert-at-newcastle.edu.au). Note that many books from previous lists of publications received are still available, so you may want to look at them also. If there is a book you are interested in reviewing but it is not on the list, please contact Alan as it is possible that ALS could then obtain a review copy from the publisher.
Alan Libert
The latest issue of Australian Aboriginal Studies (issue 2, 2007) is a special issue on Aboriginal song, looking at both musical and linguistic aspects. For further details of the papers and abstracts, please visit http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/research_program/publications/australian_aboriginal_studies/2007.
Michael Walsh
The Institute on Field Linguistics and Language Documentation is designed for field linguists, graduate students, and language activists to receive training in current techniques and issues in language documentation, language maintenance, and language revitalization. The application deadline is 29 February 2008.
Workshops: June 23rd - July 3, 2008
Field Training: July 7-August 1st, 2008
http://www.linguistics.ucsb.edu/faculty/infield/
U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. National Endowment for the Humanities: Documenting Endangered Languages Program
University of California, Santa Barbara: Division of Humanities and Fine Arts, the Interdisciplinary Humanities Center, and the Department of Linguistics
Margaret Florey
The Seventh annual Workshop on Australian languages will be held at ANU Kioloa Coastal Campus, about 200 km east of Canberra, from Friday 28 March to Sunday 30 March, 2008. The workshop is a good opportunity to catch up with current research on Australian languages in a less formal environment. We have a program with both oral and poster presentations, as well as an excursion. The workshop is also a good opportunity to get to know each other in a relaxed environment at the field station. For details, please visit the workshop website http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/research_program/events2/comferences__and__workshops/alw_2008/. (NB: 'comferences' is not a typo. That's how it appears in our content management system and I cannot change it!)
Kazuko Obata
In 2006 the Australian Linguistic Society established the annual Gerhardt Laves Scholarship to encourage postgraduate researchers into the field of indigenous languages, by helping cover linguistic fieldwork expenses.
Details of the Scholarship, including eligibility requirements, and the application process and timing, are as follows:
(a) The Gerhardt Laves Scholarship is open to students who are
(i) enrolled in a University undertaking an Honours or postgraduate research degree; and
(ii) undertaking fieldwork on an indigenous language of Australia or its immediate region as part of their research towards that degree.
Students who have already received a Laves Scholarship are permitted to reapply, but preference will be given to new applicants by the committee.
(b) Applications should be submitted to the ALS president before the deadline of March 31st. The name and contact details of the current ALS president can be found by clicking here (http://www.als.asn.au). The recipient (and unsuccessful applicants) will be notified in late April. Retrospective claims for fieldwork conducted or begun earlier in the year (between Jan 1st and late April) will be considered.
(c) Applications should include:
(i) a 1 page summary of the research plan;
(ii) a budget;
(iii) a supporting letter from the supervisor;
and (iv) contact details of both the applicant and the supervisor.
There is no form, just a Word document is sufficient.
(d) Applications are assessed by a panel of 3 ALS members selected by the president who have interests in field-based linguistics. Membership of the panel is determined on a yearly basis.
(e) The scholarship consists of an amount, approximately $2,000, to cover costs (e.g. travel, accommodation, subsistence, consultant's payments, etc.) that the recipient will encounter in undertaking fieldwork. A year's membership of the Australian Linguistic Society is also provided.
(f) Scholarship recipients are asked to account for their budget in a letter to the ALS president within 12 months and return any unspent funds to ALS. A list of recipients is maintained on the ALS website.
(g) The scholarship may not be awarded in any given year if none of the applicants are of a suitable standard (as determined by the panel).
Ilana Mushin
Expressions of interest are being sought from potential doctoral candidates interested in enrolling in a PhD at the Australian National University, starting in the first half of 2008. An ARC scholarship is available with a stipend of $26,140 per annum for 3 years in the first instance.
The research topic is related to an ARC Discovery Project Tracing change in family and social organisation in Indigenous Australia, using evidence from language, whose chief investigators are Harold Koch and Ian Keen. The PhD scholar will be expected to carry out fieldwork in a northern Australian Indigenous community (probably in Arnhem Land) where more than one traditional language is spoken and where different kinship systems intersect. They will produce a thorough description of the semantics and pragmatics of all linguistic terminology used for discussing family and social relations in both of the traditional languages, and possibly in the local variety of English, as well as the social practices determined by kinship relations. Special attention will be devoted to how people negotiate between the different systems encoded by the different languages.
The student should have a background in both Linguistics, some familiarity with Australian languages being desirable, and Anthropology, with knowledge of kinship systems desirable.
Interested candidates should contact Dr Harold Koch in the School of Language Studies, ANU, email Harold.Koch-at-anu.edu.au, telephone (02) 6125 3203.Harold Koch
The Applied Linguistics Association of Australia and the Australian Linguistic Society invite submissions for the annual Michael Clyne Prize, to be awarded to the best PhD or MA (Research) with a focus on some aspect of immigrant bilingualism and language contact. The thesis must have been passed or the degree awarded at an Australian university in 2007.
The winner will be awarded a $1000 cash prize and a contribution of up to $500 to cover costs (e.g. travel, accommodation, conference registration) for the recipient to attend either ALS or ALAA in 2008 to present a paper on the research. The recipient will be guaranteed a slot at their chosen conference.
Submissions should include: (i) a copy of the examiners' reports; (ii) a 300-500 word summary of the thesis and its main findings; (iii) a supporting letter from the supervisor(s).
Further details of rules governing the prize are available on the ALAA (www.alaa.org.au) and ALS (www.als.asn.au) websites.
Please submit documents in both electronic and paper form by Friday 4th April 2008 to:
Dr. Ilana Mushin
Linguistics Program
School of English, Media Studies and Art History
University of Queensland
St Lucia, QLD 4070
Tel: (07) 3365 2982
Email: i.mushin-at-uq.edu.au
Ilana Mushin
The Australian Linguistic Society is the national organization for linguists and linguistics in Australia. Its primary goal is to further interest in and support for linguistics research and teaching in Australia. Further information about the Society is available by clicking here.
The ALS Newsletter is issued four times per year, in the middle of February, May, August and November. Copy for the Newsletter should be sent to the Editor, Tim Curnow (tjcurnow-at-ozemail.com.au) by the end of the first week of February, May, August and November. There is a list of people who are automatically advised that it's time to contribute material; if you wish to be added to that list, send Tim an email.
Unless you paid for several years at a time, or have given the Treasurer your credit card details and permission to use it, subscriptions for ALS are due at the beginning of each calendar year; the year you are paid up to is shown on the address label on the envelope your copy of the Australian Journal of Linguistics comes in. A subscription form is available by clicking here.
The only membership list is maintained by the Treasurer, Doug Absalom (Doug.Absalom-at-gmail.com). If you wish to check your membership status, change your address or make some other enquiry, please contact Doug.