LINGUIST List 13.2444

Wed Sep 25 2002

Qs: Swadesh, Lang Class Size

Editor for this issue: Renee Galvis <reneelinguistlist.org>



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Directory

  • Robin Allott, query: Swadesh
  • jvarela, Re: Language class size

    Message 1: query: Swadesh

     Date: Tue, 24 Sep 2002 18:11:07 +0100
    From: Robin Allott <rmallottpercepp.demon.co.uk>
    Subject: query: Swadesh


    In the chapter on glottochronology in the posthumously published The Origin and Diversification of Language 1972, Swadesh presents a 100-word Basic List. However I have seen references to a 200-word Swadesh list. Where does this come from? When was it compiled? The 100-word list figured in Swadesh's 1960 article in Spanish, on which the chapter in the 1972 book was based.

    Robin Allott email: rmallottpercepp.demon.co.uk http://www.percep.demon.co.uk/swadesh/swadlist.htm http://www.percepp.demon.co.uk/motheory.htm

    Message 2: Re: Language class size

     Date: 24 Sep 2002 22:03:54 -0000
    From: jvarela <jvarelatelepolis.com>
    Subject: Re: Language class size


    Could you folks please help us out? We need to come up with a list of reasons why it is not pedagogically sound for a language class to have 30 or more students.

    The MLA some time ago published guidelines to the effect that language classes should be 12 to 20 students to be effective. Army language courses hover at around 8. Universities expect us to have 30 or more per class.

    Please respond asap because we are under pressure to justify our position: that more is not better in language class size.

    Thanks,

    Jose L. Varela-Ibarra, Chair Languages and Humanities Eastern Kentucky University