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Sesquipedalian #27
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To: ling-local, ling-others
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Subject: Sesquipedalian #27
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From: Alistair Murray <alistair@csli.stanford.edu>
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Date: Thu, 5 May 94 15:16:00 PDT
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Cc: gopher-quip
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Flags: 000000000000
The SESQUIPEDALIAN WEEKLY HERALD Volume IV, Number 27
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May 5, 1994
-\-\-\ LINGUISTICS COLLOQUIUM /-/-/-
THE ROLE OF THE SEGMENT IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE PHONOLOGY
Diane Brentari
University of California at Davis
Friday, May 6th at 3:30 pm
-----------------------> CSLI, Ventura Hall, Room 17 <---------------------
Happy hour will follow.
Abstract:
This paper examines the extent to which segmental units are
needed to account for morphophonemic processes in American Sign
Language, and, if segments are needed, what segmental proposal covers
the broadest range of forms. (Perlmutter 1992, 1993; Sandler 1989,
1992; Liddell and Johnson 1989). Recent accounts of phonological and
morphophonemic processes using syllables and other prosodic units,
such as the mora and the phonological word, have significantly reduced
the range of cases that require segments in their analysis; however,
there is a set of aspectual forms in ASL that provides evidence that
segments are needed in the affixation of a 'trilled internal movement'
(TIM) to a verb stem. I conclude that a segmental unit is necessary
to express this aspectual category in the most economical manner, and
that this segment is a derivative notion, such as the segment proposed
in Archangeli and Pulleyblank (in press), that is most effective in
handling these forms. Further, this account is consistent with a model
containing unordered levels of constraints, such as Optimality Theory
(Smolensky and Prince 1993) and Harmonic Phonology (Goldsmith 1991).
This aspectual class has not been discussed in the literature
before. I call it 'protracted / inceptive' aspect (PI) because the
meaning associated to this structure is 'extend the duration of the
onset of 'x.'' The input verb stem must contain an implicit or
explicit punctual meaning; for example, the verb FALL-ASLEEP allows
protracted/inceptive affixation, but the verb SLEEP does not, and
there is also a particular phonological shape to which input stem must
conform; namely, they must be monosyllabic forms without a TIM in the
stem. Syllable accounts of TIM affixation in other polymorphemic
forms predict that all TIM features should associate to the most
dynamic property of the syllable; however, PI affixation presents a
large set of counter- examples to this prediction since the TIM
feature associates to the leftmost static properties of the stem,
namely the leftmost place of articulation and the leftmost handshape.
Furthermore, in a non-segmental model of ASL structure, the place of
articulation features and the handshape features is on separate
autosegmental tiers. PI affixation accesses both of these tiers at
once.
After examining the PI aspect forms I take up each of the
traditional segmental models of ASL structure (Liddell and Johnson
1989; Sandler 1989; Sandler 1993; Perlmutter 1992, 1993) to ascertain
which model can best handle the PI forms. I conclude that the
segmental unit necessary to express this process has two paradoxical
properties: it must be visible to the morphology, and it must contain
redundant features. My analysis resolves this paradox and presents
new forms justifying the segmental units proposed by Liddell and
Johnson (1989) and by Sandler (1993), rather than the segmental units
proposed in Perlmutter (1992, 1993).
*************************************************************************
-\-\-\ CONGRATULATIONS TO..... /-/-/-
.....Dawn Hannah and Julie Solomon who have both been awarded grants
>From the Center for Latin American Studies for summer research, in the
Dominican Republic and Mexico respectively.
Dawn will be conducting research on "The Language of African American
Descendants," in Samana, Dominican Republic. Julie will be conducting
her research on "La Maya Pura, La Maya Mezclada," in Yucatan, Mexico.
.....Christine Theberge, who has been awarded the first-ever
postdoctoral fellowship at the new Center for Performance Assessment
at the Educational Testing Service (ETS) in Princeton, NJ.
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-\-\-\ LINGUISTICS PROGRAMS /-/-/-
M S c i n C o g n i t i v e S c i e n c e
a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f B i r m i n g h a m
____________________________________________________________________________
The University of Birmingham runs a programme of inter-disciplinary
teaching and research in Cognitive Science notable for its breadth and
cross-disciplinary interaction. Staff have a wide range of relevant
research interests, and Cognitive Science is supported by extensive
computing facilities comprising Unix workstations and X-terminals.
The MSc in Cognitive Science is a one-year modular programme consisting
of taught courses followed by a substantial project.
The taught courses (including options) on the MSc comprise: Artificial
Intelligence Programming and Logic, Overview of Cognitive Science, Knowledge
Representation Inference and Expert Systems, General Linguistics, Human
Information Processing, Structures for Data and Knowledge, Philosophy of
Science for Cognitive Science, Philosophy of Mind for Cognitive Science, C++
Programming, Human-Computer Interaction, Biological and Computational
Architectures, Current Issues in Cognitive Science, Artificial and Natural
Perceptual Systems, Speech and Natural Language Processing, and Parallel
Distributed Processing. Projects can be pursued in a wide range of topics.
Admissions requirements for the MSc in Cognitive Science are flexible,
but normally include a good degree in a relevant area such as psychology,
artificial intelligence, computer science, linguistics or philosophy.
Addresses for further information are given below. The same
addresses can be used for enquiries concerning the PhD programme in
Cognitive Science and the Cognitive Science Seminar Series at
Birmingham.
Phone: (+4421) 414 3683
Fax: (+4421) 414 4897
E-mail: cogsci@bham.ac.uk
WWW URL:http://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/
Gopher: gopher.cs.bham.ac.uk
Mail: Cognitive Science Admissions,
School of Psychology,
University of Birmingham,
Birmingham,
B15 2TT,
U.K.
************************************************************************
-\-\-\ JOB OPENINGS /-/-/-
VISITING POSITION IN PHONOLOGY
The Department of Linguistics at The University of Iowa solicits
applications for a one-year, non-tenure track position for a
phonologist for the 1994-95 academic year. Candidates should be able
to teach courses in phonology at all levels as well as introductory
phonetics and introductory historical linguistics. Ph.D. preferred.
Send letter of interest, CV, and one sample of work, and have three
letters of reference sent to:
W.D. Davies, Chair
Department of Linguistics
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242-1408
Screening will begin immediately and continue until the position is
filled.
THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
**********************************************************************
-\-\-\ CALL FOR PAPERS /-/-/-
MID-AMERICA LINGUISTICS CONFERENCE
October 14-15, 1994
Kansas Union
The University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
The 1994 Mid-America Linguistics Conference will continue its 29-year
tradition of accepting papers on all linguistic topics. The plenary
speaker will be Stephen Anderson, Johns Hopkins University.
This year there will be two special interest parallel sessions:
1. In conjunction with the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the
Department of African and African-American Studies at the University
of Kansas, sessions are planned on African languages, African-American
English, and creoles used by people of African descent. The plenary
speaker for these sessions will be Salikoko Mufwene, University of
Chicago.
2. In addition, in recognition of the long-standing interest in Native
American languages at the University of Kansas as well as the recent
practice of having the Mid-America Linguistics Conference meet jointly
with the Conference on Siouan and Caddoan Languages, parallel sessions
are planned on Muskogean, Caddoan, and other southeast Indian
languages.
Guidelines for Submission of Papers
Contributed papers will be allowed a maximum of 20 minutes for
presentation. Papers presented at the conference will be published in
the conference proceedings. Instructions for the preparation of
manuscripts will be sent along with notification of acceptance.
Abstracts are to be submitted in both a short and long version.
The longer abstract for use by the Program Committee must be typed,
double spaced, and no longer than one page. It should have a title but
not be identified with your name.
The short abstract is to be prepared for photocopy reproduction in the
meeting handbook. It must fit within a space 6.5" wide and 3" high. If
you use proportional spacing, the font must be no smaller than 12
point. If you use fixed spacing, there should be no more than 12
characters per inch. On the same page, give your name and
affiliationas you wish it to appear in the program. Also include your
mailing address, telephone number, fax number, and E-mail address
where applicable.
Each session room will be equipped with a chalkboard, an overhead
projector, and a projection screen. If you need other audio/visual
equipment, please request it when you submit your abstract.
The deadline for submission of abstracts is Monday, August 29, 1994.
If you need earlier notification of acceptance in order to apply for
travel funds, please indicate that at the time that you submit your
abstract. E-mail submissions will not be accepted. Faxed submissions
to meet the deadline must be followed immediately by mailed abstracts
on regular paper. Mail abstracts to the MALC Program Committee at the
Linguistics Department address given below.
Mail abstracts to:
The University of Kansas,
MALC Program Comittee,
Linguistics Department,
Lawrence, KS 66045
For additional information about program content, contact: Frances
Ingemann, The University of Kansas, Linguistics Department, Lawrence,
KS 66045. Tel: (913)864-3450. Fax: (913)864-5208. E-mail:
fing@ukanvm.bitnet.
Published proceedings of the conference will be available; ordering
information will be provided in September.
==========================================================================
The 25th Annual Meeting of the
North East Linguistic Society
October 14-16, 1994
University of Pennsylvania
Abstract deadline: July 26
We invite anonymous abstracts for 20-minute papers on all areas of
theoretical linguistics. These should be anonymous and up to two pages
in length (the second page need not be limited to data or references),
8-1/2" by 11", single-spaced, in 12-point type with 1" margins. Send
10 copies of the abstract together with a 3x5 card showing the title
of the paper, the author's address and affiliation, phone number, and
e-mail address by July 26 to:
NELS 25
Department of Linguistics
619 Williams Hall
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6305 USA
Ouestions can be directed to Gene Buckley and Sabine Iatridou at
nels25@1ing.upenn.edu.
WORKSHOPS
The Institute for Research on Cognitive Science will sponsor two
workshops on October 13th, 1994, the day preceding the start of NELS
25. The workshops address two areas from the point of view of formal
linguistic theory:
Workshop I: Language Change
(historical linguistics, as well as change in progress)
Workshop II: Language Acquisition
We invite anonymous one-page abstracts for 20-minute papers on either
of these topics (formatting requirements are the same as for NELS
proper). The deadline for submission of workshop abstracts is August
9. Send 5 copies to "Language Change Workshop" or "Language
Acquisition Workshop" at the address above, accompanied by a 3x5 card
stating the title of the paper, your address and affiliation, phone
number, and e-mail address.
==========================================================================
1995 SECOND ANNUAL UCLA GRADUATE STUDENT
SYMPOSIUM FOR JAPANESE STUDIES
JAPAN: BREAKING BOUNDARIES
Today's generation of graduate students is breaking boundaries within
the field of Japanese studies and across disciplines. It is in this
spirit that we would like to contest the limitations, explore the
margins and resist the confines of traditional concepts of Japanese
culture, history and politics. What is to be gained by rethinking
baundaries? Haw can we analyze, reinterpret, or displace current
notions of cultural, national and intellectual boundaries?
The second annual UClA graduate student symposium for Japanese studies
on April 22, 1995, sponsored by the UCLA Center for Japanese Studies,
offers interested graduate students from the western United States*
and faculty commentators a forum in which to discuss these questians.
Transportation and two nights'lodging for presenters will be paid for
by the symposium. The symposium committee welcomes proposals from
vorious academic fields addressing these questions. We also encouroge
the submission of popers employing interdisciplinary, comparative, ar
cross-cultural approaches.
Please submit proposals of no more than one page in length by July 31,
1994. Please include yaur university department, field of
specialization, name, address and telephone number, along with a
self-addressed stamped postcard for an acknowledgment of the receipt
of your submission.
Send proposals to:
UCLA Graduate Student Symposium
c/o Michele Mason
411 1/2 Veteran Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90024-7105
Inquiries may be directed to the above address or via e-mail to:
izzyxz6@mvs.oac.ucla.edu
*We include in the western region the following: Alaska, Arizona,
California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico,
Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming; and British Columbia, in Canada.
========================================================================
14TH ANNUAL NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGE ISSUES INSTITUTE
with
THE CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE
CALL FOR PAPERS
SINGING WE COME
"Shaping Our Future Through Language and Song"
Theme: Creative approaches to the development, maintenance, and
preservation of Native American languages through exploration of new
and indigenous forms of language transmission through the traditional
processes of song, stories, dance and oral histories and academic
schooling models.
Goals:
A. To support the new techniques, models, skills, and information on
language acquisition, preservation, maintenance, and renewal.
B. To emphasize indigenous forms of cultural and language
transmission, through drama, song, storytelling, the roles of women,
and intergenerational teaching strategies.
C. To present language immersion programs.
D. To identify and support low-budget language programs.
Guidelines for Format of Proposal:
1. Cover Page: Title of paper for symposium;
Name, address, daytime telephone;
Brief biographical data on presenter(s).
2. Abstract: No more than 200-250 words stating: objectives, significance,
conclusions.
3. A thirty word precis for the program agenda.
Papers and symposia will be selected based upon the abstract.
Presenters selected will be notified by June 6, 1994, at which time
they will be asked to submit a complete copy of their paper. Selected
papers will be published for general distribution.
DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: MAY 30, 1994.
Please advise us if you have innovative tapes, computer programs, or
ideas concerning methods of language immersion techniques. We would
like to use them in our language technologies workshops.
Send applications to:
Dolly Naranjo, Administrator, CRCE,
Institute of American Indian Arts
P.O. Box 20007
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504
Tel: (505)988-6434
Fax: (505)988-6446
************************************************************************
-\-\-\ FELLOWSHIPS/ASSISTANTSHIPS /-/-/-
ANDREW W. MELLON POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
IN THE HUMANITIES AT STANFORD
To be awarded to highly promising scholar-teachers in the Humanities, these
nonfaculty one-year positions will carry departmental affiliation and limited
teaching duties, and the opportunity for scholarly work and intellectual
gfrowth. The Ph.D. must have been received after June, 1988 and before
September, 1995. The award carries an annual stipend of $37,000 plus benefits.
The Fellowship is renewable for a second year.
Application forms for 1995-96 are available now. All materials, including three
letters of reference, are due no later than November 15, 1994. Applicants will
be notified of the outcome in early March, 1995.
Write to:
Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowships,
The Dean's Office,
Humanities and Sciences,
Stanford University,
Stanford, CA 94305-2070.
************************************************************************
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