LINGUIST List 21.2364 Thu May 27 2010 Support: Anthro Ling, Language Documentation: PhD Student, James Cook U. Editor for this issue: Matthew Lahrman <mattlinguistlist.org> To post to LINGUIST, use our convenient web form at http://linguistlist.org/LL/posttolinguist.cfm. Directory         1.    Alexandra Aikhenvald, Anthropological Linguistics, Language Documentation: PhD Student, James Cook University, Australia Message 1: Anthropological Linguistics, Language Documentation: PhD Student, James Cook University, Australia Date: 25-May-2010 From: Alexandra Aikhenvald <Alexandra.Aikhenvaldjcu.edu.au> Subject: Anthropological Linguistics, Language Documentation: PhD Student, James Cook University, Australia E-mail this message to a friend Institution/Organization: James Cook University Department: The Cairns Institute Web Address: http://www.jcu.edu.au/cairnsinstitute/people/JCUTST_057570.html Level: PhD Duties: Research Specialty Areas: Anthropological Linguistics Language documentation Description: Applications are invited, from suitably qualified students, to enter the PhD program of the Language and Culture Research Group within the Cairns Institute of James Cook University Australia. Supervision will be provided by Professors Alexandra Y. Aikhenvald, R. M. W. Dixon, Dr Mark W. Post, Dr Anne Schwarz and Dr. Tianqiao Lu. Our PhD candidates generally undertake extensive fieldwork on a previously undescribed (or scarcely described) language and write a comprehensive grammar of it for their dissertation. They are expected to work on a language which is still actively spoken, and to establish a field situation within a community in which it is the first language. Their first fieldtrip lasts for about nine months. After completing a first draft of the grammar, back in Cairns, they undertake a second fieldtrip of two to three months. Fieldwork methodology centres on the collection, transcription and analysis of texts, together with participant observation, and at a later stage judicious grammatical elicitation in the language under description (not through the lingua franca of the country). Our main priority areas are the languages of tropical Amazonia, the Papuan and Austronesian languages of New Guinea and Tibeto-Burman languages. However, we do not exclude applicants who have an established interest in languages from other areas. We place emphasis on work that has a sound empirical basis but also shows a firm theoretical orientation (in terms of general typological theory, or what has recently come to be called basic linguistic theory). The Cairns Institute is a world centre for advanced study relating to the tropics. Prof Alexandra (Sasha) Aikhenvald is Research Leader for People and Societies of the Tropics. Together with Prof R. M. W. Dixon, she heads the Language and Culture Research Group, which includes Research Fellows and a growing number of doctoral students. In addition, senior scholars from across the world opt to spend their sabbatical in the Cairns Institute. The LCRG has strong links with anthropologists and archaeologists, with scholars working on environmental issues, and with the School of Indigenous Australian Studies, all within James Cook University. The scholarship will be at the standard James Cook University rate, Australian $20,427 pa. Students coming from overseas are liable for a tuition fee; but this may be waived in the case of a student of high merit. A small relocation allowance may be provided on taking up the scholarship. In addition, an appropriate allowance will be made to cover fieldwork expenses. The scholarship is for three years (with the possibility of a six month extension). The deadline for application by international students (starting in 2011) is 31 August 2010; the deadline for students with Australian and New Zealand passports is 31 October 2010. The academic year in Australia commences about 1st March. Successful applicants would take up their PhD scholarships between January and June 2011. The application procedures for international students can be found at: http://www.jcu.edu.au/grs/forms/index.htm . The 2010 for 2011 Scholarship application form for international students can be found at: http://www.jcu.edu.au/grs/scholarships/index.htm Prospective applicants are invited, in the first place, to get in touch with Professor Aikhenvald at alexandra.aikhenvaldjcu.edu.au, providing details of their background, qualifications and interests (including a curriculum vitae). Applicants are strongly advised to send samples of their written work in linguistics (at least some of this should be in English). Applications Deadline: 31-Aug-2010 Web Address for Applications: http://www.jcu.edu.au/grs/JCUPRD_018164.html Contact Information:         Prof Alexandra Aikhenvald         Alexandra.Aikhenvaldjcu.edu.au         Phone:61-7-4042 1117         Fax:61-7-4042 1880 Read more issues|LINGUIST home page|Top of issue Page Updated: 27-May-2010       About LINGUIST    |   Contact Us       While the LINGUIST List makes every effort to ensure the linguistic relevance of sites listed on its pages, it cannot vouch for their contents.