LINGUIST List 13.187

Thu Jan 24 2002

Qs: Language Analysis, Greenberg Bibliography

Editor for this issue: Karen Milligan <karenlinguistlist.org>



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Directory

  • Van Haesevelde Aldona, Language Analysis within the Scope of an Asylum Procedure
  • Bill Croft, Greenberg bibliography question

    Message 1: Language Analysis within the Scope of an Asylum Procedure

     Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 11:19:33 +0100
    From: Van Haesevelde Aldona <Aldona.VanHaeseveldecgrs.MiBz.FGov.be>
    Subject: Language Analysis within the Scope of an Asylum Procedure


    Dear colleagues,

    The origin of an asylum seeker is of fundamental importance during the asylum procedure. Although it is a key element, it is not often that transparent. For example, a number of asylum seekers do not possess the required documents to support their citizinship. One way, among others, to clarify the social environment of the asylum seeker is performing an analysis of his/her speech. This does not implicate however that the final goal of a language analysis is to determine one's citizinship. The actual result of a analysis is in fact the identification of a certain language variety, which can be linked to (a) certian geographical region(s). This location often transcends state boundaries.

    Language is a complex phenomenon and a fundamental aspect of human behaviour. As we change during our life, so does our language. To put it differently, language use is a inherent dynamic process. Due to this complexity, performing a language analysis within the scope of a n asylum application demands a methodology that allows for the linguistic diversity.

    In general, I can describe our method as follows; First of all, we work with native speakers, who all enjoyed a linguistic training. A conversation between an asylum seeker and an interpreter will be recorded and eventualy used as data for the actual analysis. The NS will listen as many times he/she finds necessary to that tape and note down all the elements she/he hears that can be used to prove the identity of the recorded language.

    The NS originates from the same region as the asylum seeker and speeks the same language or language variety. At the final stage, everything is written down in an official report, where there are four categories; phonology, lexicon, syntaxis and particularisms (proverbs, interjections, non-verbal elements, etc.). The final conclusion is wether person X actually speaks language Y, and therefore lived in region Z.

    I would like to consider this mail as an invitation for every suggestion remark, etc. concerning this methodology. I am all ears.

    My best regards

    Aldona Van Haesevelde

    aldona.vanhaeseveldemibz.fgov.be

    CEDOCA Dienst Taalanalyse tel: +32 2 205 56 25 fax: +32 2 205 51 24



    Message 2: Greenberg bibliography question

     Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 16:30:15 +0000
    From: Bill Croft <w.croftman.ac.uk>
    Subject: Greenberg bibliography question


    I am compiling a bibliography of Joseph H. Greenberg's publications (1989 - present) to supplement the bibliography found in Greenberg's essay collection "On Language" (published 1990). I believe I have found everything, but I am missing the title of one item, which I was unable to obtain by interlibrary loan:

    1990. {Address to NACAL, Emory University, March 1990.} California Linguistic Newsletter 20:3.8-10.

    I would appreciate it if someone could email me (w.croftman.ac.uk) the actual title of this item as soon as possible. And I would very much appreciate it if someone could send me a photocopy of the article.

    Thanks very much,

    Bill Croft Department of Linguistics University of Manchester Manchester M13 9PL United Kingdom w.croftman.ac.uk