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Sesquipedalian, Volume III, Number 7
'Everyone kinda forgot about morphology,
in some fairly systematic ways.'
The SESQUIPEDALIAN WEEKLY HERALD Volume III, Number 7
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November 12, 1992
Editor's note: The more observant of you may have noticed that you
received two copies of the Quip this week, one boring and one
trite. This was due to a freak e-mail accident which defies
description, but could never in a million years be repeated. We
apologise for any inconvenience and encourage you blame Peter Sells
(for the accident itself, not for the boredom or triteness of the
Quips themselves... I have no one but myself to blame for that).
And now, for today's linguistic exercise, we present a rendition of
the Beatles' "Taxman," translated from English to Korean and then back.
TAXMAN (G. Harrison)
Let me tell you how it will be
Cause one for you nineteen for me
*Cause I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman
She finds 5% bill to small
They tankful I don't take it all
* (repeat)
If you drive a car I'll tax the street
If you try to cease it I'll touch your slip
If you get to cold I'll tax the heat
If you take a walk I'll tax your foot
* (repeat)
Am I use vice for those who dying
Clever pan is on your eyes
And your working for the one but me
-/-/-/ LOOK WHO'S TALKING /-/-/-
-- Last week at the Comparative and International Education Society
Conference, Norma Mendoza-Denton presented her paper, 'The role of
language in the legitimation of knowledge: Examples from francophone
West Africa.'
-- Next week John Rickford, Tom Wasow, Norma Mendoza-Denton and Juli
Espinosa reprise their triumph at NWAV as they re-present their paper,
'Bridging the Gap, As-far-as Sociolinguistics and Syntax -0-.'
-/-/-/ CALL FOR PAPERS /-/-/-
-- 29th MEETING OF THE CHICAGO LINGUISTICS SOCIETY: General Session
April 22-23: We invite original unpublished work on any topic of
general linguistic interest. Parasession April 23-24: 'What we think,
what we mean, and how we say it: The role of conceptial representation
in language.' We invite original unpublished work on the relationshop
between conceptual (and/or semantic) representations of grammar.
Among the questions which could be addressed are: Can/should the study
of language encompass the study of conceptual representation? Is
conceptual representation distinct from semantics? Can the same types
of structures and primitives be used for
conceptual/semantic/morphological onces? Where should such matters as
scope relations and thematic roles be dealt with?
Abstracts for either general or parasession: Please submit ten
copies of a one-page, 500-word, anonymous abstract (for a 25-minute
paper), along with a 3x5 card with your name, address, phone number,
e-mail address, title of paper, and indication of whether the paper is
intended for the main session or parasession. The abstract should
clearly indicate the data covered, outline the arguments presented,
and include any broader implications of the work. If necessary,
append a page of data and/or references. An individual may present at
most one single and one co-authored paper. Deadline for receipt of
abstracts is February 12, 1993. Send abstracts to
Chicago Linguistics Society
1010 E. 59th Street
Chicago IL 60637
phone: 312/702-8529
email: cls@sapir.uchicago.edu
-- RePOST: Re:POST is a new multidisciplinary journal published by a
SUNY Buffalo graduate student collective. This publication is our
response to the academy's anxious relation to theory, including the
impulse to affix 'post' to a range of important critical practices.
We believe that many of these theoretical positions have not
disappeared but press with renewed urgency. Re:POST aims to
acknowledge such urgency while retaining theoretical rigour. We seek
papers which examine the limits and possibilities of theory in
relation to culture, history, literature, philosophy, and politics.
Papers might explore the intersection of theoretical critique and such
topics as authority and pedagogy; backlash politics; framing feminism;
narrative; performativity; re-evaluations of Marxist theory;
sexualities. Please submit three copies of manuscripts, 15-25 pages
(MLA format), including SASE. Deadline for spring publication:
January 15. Send to
Re:POST
c/o Michelle Burnham
Department of English
306 Clemens Hall
SUNY at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14206
The Year of the Woman: A Special Issue (Fall 1993): Re:POST invites
papers dealing with current issues of women and the pubic sphere from
any perspective: media, jurisprudential, ethical, literary,
psychoanalytic... Deadline for manustcript submission is May 15, 1993.
-/-/-/ LINGUISTICS COLLOQUIUM /-/-/-
Friday, 3.30 pm at Cordura Conference Room, CSLI. Happy :-) hour to
follow. This week our speaker is Chris Golston, who will speak...
AGAINST PHONOLOGY-FREE SYNTAX
There are only two issues in the syntax/phonology interface:
how much syntax can phonology see? and how much phonology can syntax
see? Most phonological work on the topic, not surprisingly, has
focused on the first question. This paper looks at the second.
It is often assumed that syntactic processes are blind to
phonological information. Zwicky & Pullum (1986a) have in fact
proposed a universal constraint, the Principle of Phonology-Free
Syntax (PPFS), such that no syntactic rule can be subject to
language-particular phonological conditions or constraints. Zwicky &
Pullum go to some lengths to show that PPFS is of great importance to
theories of grammar. They argue that non-transformational theories of
grammar are especially closely tied to the PPFS, concluding that 'an
argument for abandoning the PPFS is also an argument against CPSG and
similar monostratal theories. There is then an intimate relationship
between the interfacing principles and the choice of a monostratal vs.
a transformational syntactic theory.'
Zec & Inkelas (1990), however, investigate a number of
prosodically conditioned suntactic processes which threaten the PPFS.
To allow for such phenomena but still limit the amount of phonology
the syntax can see, Zec & Inkelas propose a limit on the interface
between syntax and phonology such that syntactic rules have access not
to the full-fledged phonological representation, but only to its
prosodic subparts (1990: 336). This contradicts the PPFS but still
limits the effects that phonological information may have on syntactic
processes.
In this paper I argue that the restriction Zec & Inkelas
impose is too strict, by investigating a syntactic rule in Attic Greek
that can see much more than the purely prosodic subpart of
phonological information. Additional evidence from French, first
discussed in Kayne 1975, also shows that the limit proposed by Zec &
Inkelas is too strong. Both the Greek and the French cases show that
syntactic rules can see the segmental subpart of phonological
representation, providing exactly the sort of counter-evidence needed
to refute the PPFS and models of grammar that subsume it either
directly (GPSG) or indirectly (GB).
-/-/-/ PHONOLOGY WORKSHOP /-/-/-
Don't be fooled! Chris Golston will -NOT- present tonight's phonology
workshop. The REAL speaker is Linda Uyechi...
Visual Phonology (A Dissertation Proposal)
In recent work on sign language, phonologists have adapted
autosegmental frameworks, developed for spoken language phonology, to
account for sign structure. Movement (M) and its seemingly logical
counterpart, non-movement (holds (H), locations (L), or positions (P)
in different models), have been adopted as timing segments. However,
"movement" remains an ill-defined notion and, consequently, different
types of movement are represented in various ways in diverse parts of
these movement-based (M-based) models.
In my work, I propose a movement-less (M-less) model of visual
phonology that follows a line of inquiry initiated by Stack (1988) and
endorsed by Hayes (1989). In this talk, I describe the model and
present two arguments in its favor. First, I show that arced and
straight movement, represented as phonological features in M-based
models, are predictable phonetic properties of an M-less
representation. Second, I show that circling and fingerwiggling, two
other characteristics of signs represented as features in M-based
models, are degenerate cases of the delta unit, a unit of change
proposed for the M-less model.
In the spirit of a proposal, I also present a variety of sign
phenomena that must be accounted for by any theory of sign language
structure and provide tentative explanations for them in this M-less
model. Finally, I propose that visual phonology may (quite literally)
turn the syllable on its side. I describe this curious development
and offer preliminary remarks about it.
-/-/-/ HISTORICAL WORKSHOP /-/-/-
There has been a change in the slate of speakers at the Historical
Workshop this quarter: Suzanne Fleischman's talk has been postponed to
a later date. Elizabeth Traugott will be speaking next Thursday,
November 19.
It Promises/Threatens to Rain:
The Epistemic Development of Erstwhile Illocutionary Verbs
Much has been written on the illocutionary nature of promise and
threaten, as well as on the performative nature of promise, and
non-performative nature of threaten (e.g. Searle 1965, 1979).
Recently Verhagen (1991) has drawn attention to the non-illocutionary,
epistemic uses of the two verbs, as in
Tomorrow promises to be a fine day.
Tomorrow threatens to be a rainy day.
My paper discusses the development of the epistemic meanings from the
sixteenth century on, with particular attention to a) the pragmatic
inferences that enabled the change from illocutionary (commissive)
uses to non-illocutionary (epistemic) ones, b) the role structure of
the subject in the epistemic constructions. Finally, I will suggest
that in their epistemic uses the two verbs show incipient
grammaticalization to markers of irrealis modality, cf.
Tomorrow promises/is likely/*doesn't promise to be a fine day.
*What tomorrow promises is to be fine.
UPCOMING TALKS: December 3 Tomas Riad
'The history of Germanic mainstress'
(a joint Phonology/Historical Workshop)
Historical workshops are held in Ventura 17 at CSLI at 7.30 pm.
-/-/-/ TRUE LINGUISTS /-/-/-
Not enough quotes were eavesdropped out of our classes this week, so
instead we'll run a few questionables from our comrades in academia:
'A faculty forum will be held on Wednesday to discuss the
proposed changes in the grading policy and the proposed
addition to the core curriculum. All interesting faculty
are invited to attend.' (University of Alabama announcement)
'Iowa State University's largest capital campaign effort,
"Partnership for Prominence," has surpassed the $100 mark in
its drive to raise $150 million.' (Philanthropic Digest)
'UPPER IOWA UNIVERSITY: FULL TIME FACTORY OPENING FOR FALL
1992.' (Job ad in the Des Moines Register)
'The reporting officer observed a car accelerating above
posted speed limit... the vehicle ran through a stop sign
without breaking.' (Winthrop College Police Beat)
And finally, from the Lyndon State College News:
'A full-grown cow moose, standing almost six feet tall, ambled
across the lawn in front of the campus administration
building at 1:45 pm, paused on the soccer field and then
darted up the hill into the woods surrounding the campus.
Witnesses estimate the moose remained on the campus for
about five minutes before making her hasty retreat.
'"Perhaps she felt behooved to better herself,"
explained Dr. Peggy R. Williams, president of the college.
"She probably heard that we offer a lot of interesting fields
that she can study."'
-/-/-/ GRANTS/ASSISTANTSHIPS /-/-/-
-- PRESIDENT'S POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (University of
California): The President's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program offers
postdoctoral fellowships designed to attract American minorities and
women to academic careers and to enhance their prospects for
appointment to faculty positions at the University of California and
other institutions of higher education. In addition to financial
support, the fellowships include mentorship and guidance in areas
critical to success in an academic career, such as research, writing
and public speaking. Applications are evaluated by University of
California review committees according to the following criteria:
ability, as evidenced by scholarly achievements and publications;
letters of recommendation; quality and significance of the proposed
research; and committment of the applicant's faculty mentor to the
goals of the program. Fellowships are awarded through annual
competitions and permanent residents of the United States. Preference
is given to minority and women candidates historically
underrepresented in their disciplines in higher education. Each
fellowship is awarded for a 12-month period, renewable for a second
year pending evidence of satisfactory progress. Awards include a
stipend of $26,000, health benefits, and up to $4,000 for
supplementary expenses and research-related travel. Applications must
be received or postmarked by December 14, 1992. Applicants must
obtain the support of a University of California faculty or laboratory
sponsor other than the applicant's Ph.D. thesis advisor, who is
willing to serve as mentor. For application and further information write
President's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Office of the President, University of California
300 Lakeside Drive, 18th Floor
Oakland CA 94612-3350
phone: 510/987-9500 or 987-9503
-- SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT: The SRCD invites
applications for Executive Branch Policy Fellowships in Child
Development for 1993-94. Fellows spend one year working as resident
scholars within the U.S. Administration for Children, Youth and
Families (ACYF) or the National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development (NICHD). Prospective fellows must demonstrate exceptional
competence in an area of child development research. Recent Ph.Ds,
MDs, EdDs, as well as mid-career professionals are encouraged to
apply. Fellows should be interested in applying scientific knowledge
toward the solution of problems affecting children. Fellows must be
members of SRCD. Up to five Executive Branch Policy Fellowships will
be awarded. The stipend is $30,000-$35,000. However, the Fellow's
home institution may provide additional funds. Applictions should
include a 500-word statement of interest, a current CV, and three
letters of recommendation. Deadline is January 31, 1993. Send
applications to
Alan G. Kraut, Director
SRCD Washington Office
1010 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 1100
Washington DC 20005-4907
phone: 202/783-2320
fax: 202/783-2083
-- STANFORD INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES: The IIS awards grants
to Stanford Graduate Students to assist with unusual costs associated
with advanced work in international studies. Awards can be made in
support of modest travel and research expenses during periods of
dissertation field research conducted abroad, or for supplemental
cost-of-living grants for students in the final write-up phase.
Write-up grants are normally awarded only to students who have engaged
in research abroad and who therefore require more time than normal to
complete all aspects of the disseration. Funds are not available to
support costs related to dependents. Field research grants may be
used in any country. Deadline for applications is Monday, January 25,
1993. Information on these fellowships and application forms can be
obtained from
Kim Hoskins
Institute for International Studies
Encina Hall, Room 200
Stanford CA 94305
phone: 415/725-2564
-/-/-/ JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS /-/-/-
(These jobs are also listed in the jobs binder in the Greenberg Room,
and on the file /user/linguistics/jobslist.txt. By the way, if we
don't find who took the jobs binder out of the Greenberg Room,
everyone known to be looking for jobs at the current time will be
rounded up and keelhauled.)
-- The Department of Communication Disorders at Boston University has
reopened its search for an Assistant/Associate Professor. This is a
tenure-track position starting September, 1993. Expertise in adult
neurogenics or speech science/speech production is required.
Applicants must have a doctoral degree and ASHA CCC-SLP. Applicants
should submit a letter of application, CV and three letters of
recommendation to
Robert Burkard, Ph.D.
Search Committee Chair
Department of Communication Disorders
Boston University
635 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston MA 02215
email: rfb@buenta.bu.edu.bitnet
-- ELIOT/PEARSON DEPARTMENT OF CHILD STUDY (Tufts University):
'Language, Literacy and Culture in Early Childhood.' Tenure-track
position, beginning Fall 1993. Doctorate in child development and
area of language and literacy. Possible specialization in: reading
research; developmental psycholinguistics; assessment; curriculum;
multi-cultural or special education. Emphasis on early childhood.
Important components include: strong research programs; publications;
grant writing; strength in university teaching. Teach courses in
language and reading development; supervise student research; and
participate in teacher preparation programs. The Eliot-Pearson
Department of Child Study is a multidisciplinary department with two
laboratory schools for young children. Undergraduate, masters, and
doctoral programs in applied child development offered. Opportunities
for interdisciplinary collaboration within university. Minority
candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. Tufts is an equal
opportunity employer. Applications considered as of November 15 until
appropriate candidate is found. Send CV plus three letters of
recommendation to
Prof. Maryanne Wolf
Tufts University
Eliot-Pearson Dept. of Child Study
105 College Avenue
Medford MA 02155
-/-/-/ GIFT /-/-/-
John T. Schneider has donated his new book, 'Dictionary of African
Borrowings in Brazilian Portuguese,' to the department. It can now be
found in the Greenberg Room.
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-/-/-/ CONSERVE DISK SPACE /-/-/-
So you may delete your copy after you've read it (or better yet,
before you've read it), the Sesquipedalian Weekly Herald is stored
online both at Stanford (in directory /user/linguistics/Sesquip), and
at Berkeley (in the directory /usr/pub.) The most current issue of
the Herald can be found by typing 'help quip'.
'We'll let the sunshine in and shine on us, because today
we're happy and tomorrow we'll be even happier.'
--Vice President Dan Quayle, 1988
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