LINGUIST List 5.990

Thu 15 Sep 1994

Sum: Closure of Linguistics at NUS

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1. , Sum: Closure of Linguistics at NUS

In late August I requested information regarding a rumour reaching us here
in Perth that the linguistics programme at the National University of
Singapore had been closed. I received two replies to my posting, neither
from Singapore. One expressed incredulity, but at the same time suggested
that "perhaps the program is no longer that strong on the'theoretical'
side, but ... there are still some tenured senior lecturers and professors
working on 'applied' linguistics". The second respondent asked
specifically not to be named, in order to protect the Singaporean source of
his/her information. This second report confirmed the story that had
reached us here. The respondent says that the programme is to be phased
out over the next three years (presumably to protect students currently
enrolled), and that the decision was made with "no warning or
consultation". The official reasons were 1) cost-cutting and 2) overlap
with the [applied] linguistics component of the regular English programme.
But I am given to understand that there may also have been
personal/political motives. Enough said.

shelly

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shelly harrison email: shellyuniwa.uwa.edu.au
centre for linguistics fax: +61-9-380-1154
university of western australia phone: +61-9-380-2859
nedlands, w.a. 6009
australia