LINGUIST List 6.149

Fri 03 Feb 1995

Qs: Latvian, Sign singing, Mother-infant interaction, Amerind

Editor for this issue: <>

Directory

1. Martin Haspelmath, language policy in Latvia
2. "RANDY J. LAPOLLA", sign language singing
3. "D.C. Vigil", prelingual mother-infant interaction in chinese pop
4. Richard Coates, Amerind ethnic name etymology

I am interested in references to reports on the recent language policy
situation in Latvia. There was a report recently on German public TV that
painted a rather worrying picture, showing that knowledge of the Latvian
language is sometimes required of Russian-speaking Estonians even where it
makes no sense. From the report it was difficult to avoid the impression that
"linguistic human rights" violations are normal in present-day Latvia.
I am particularly interested in reports by neutral observers, perhaps
Western journalists and human rights groups.

Thanks a lot,
Martin Haspelmath

Content-Length: 581

Here in Taiwan there is a TV program in which people compete
to see who is the best singer. There are different categories
for different types of songs/languages, etc., and one category
is for "sign singing". A tape of a song is played, and a signer
signs along with the words of the song (all those I've seen
compete were not deaf). I was wondering if this is common in
other countries, and if so, what the criteria are for judging
who is "the best", and also if it is done at all by people
who are deaf. Thanks.

Randy LaPolla
Institute of History and Philology
Academia Sinica

Does anyone have references for mother-infant interaction in a chinese
population, preferably preverbal? References need to be in English!
Thanks.

Please can anyone supply an etymology for the ethnic name PAMTICO/
PAMTECOUGH (near Pamlico River, North Carolina)? Or tell me someone
who can? Or supply me with details of books on the relevant languages
so that I can have a go myself? Please reply to me personally if so:

richardcuk.ac.sussex.cogs

Thanks.

Richard Coates