LINGUIST List 9.805

Fri May 29 1998

Qs: Constructivism, Radio System, Decipherment

Editor for this issue: Anita Huang <anitalinguistlist.org>




We'd like to remind readers that the responses to queries are usually best posted to the individual asking the question. That individual is then strongly encouraged to post a summary to the list. This policy was instituted to help control the huge volume of mail on LINGUIST; so we would appreciate your cooperating with it whenever it seems appropriate.

Directory

  • Ralf, Constructivism and linguistics
  • Leide Porcu, radio system
  • ECOLINGaol.com>, Decipherment resources and hand shapes

    Message 1: Constructivism and linguistics

    Date: Thu, 28 May 1998 20:01:15 +0200
    From: Ralf <Ralf.Vollmannkfunigraz.ac.at>
    Subject: Constructivism and linguistics


    Constructivism and linguistics

    I am trying to construe concepts of linguistic approaches within the science-theoretical thinking of constructivist theory. apart from the fact that for construing something, one needs colleagues willing to construe concepts in the same way or at least accepting the construction one is construing, i am wondering whether there are already any models and concepts and applications out there which are construed on the basis of constructivism or whether there are linguists who had the same idea. - -- At once i have to mention w.u. dressler (vienna) and (international) colleagues in a child language research program. and I would assume that the 'social construction of reality' approach might have surfaced in sociolinguistic research. i don't know of any other approaches. - -- In case anybody is simply interested in constructivism, i am willing to send some information via email -- keywords: self-organisation, system theory, social construction of reality. - -- i will of course post a summary. thanks & best regards, ralf vollmann, institute of linguistics, university of graz, merangasse 70, A-8010 graz, austria; Ralf.Vollmannkfunigraz.ac.at, ralfkfs.oeaw.ac.at

    Message 2: radio system

    Date: Thu, 28 May 1998 17:25:00 -0400
    From: Leide Porcu <lp76columbia.edu>
    Subject: radio system


    Dear subscribers,

    I am an anthropology student and I am interested in language and humor in a fishmarket in Sardinia, Italy. I am leaving for the field and I would like to experiment some of the methodologies that linguists use. Among the books I read recently, there is Ben Rampton's on crossing which I would keep as a model. I would like to use radio systems and recordings to have a better grasp of the material of the field and start familiarize with markers such as crossing and prosody that might pass unnoticed if not properly recorded and analyzed after the event.

    Can you please suggest me what technology I should buy? Where to buy it in New York?

    Thanks a lot!!!! - Leide Porcu lp76columbia.edu Dept. of Anthropology Columbia University http://www.columbia.edu/~lp76/

    Message 3: Decipherment resources and hand shapes

    Date: Fri, 29 May 1998 11:58:44 EDT
    From: ECOLINGaol.com> <ECOLINGaol.com>
    Subject: Decipherment resources and hand shapes


    This question is Forwarded partly on behalf of a deaf PhD who completed a dissertation on the interpretation of ancient manual alphabets used on classic artwork.

    He is already highly knowledgeable on published works on monastic signs.

    Question (1):

    At what universities are there programs focused specifically on methods of decipherment? (He has received information that there do exist six of these, but not the names of the universities where they exist.)

    Question (2):

    Does the International Society of Undeciphered Languages still exist? What does it do, what are some of its publications, and could any of you give short comments on any of those publications?

    Question (3):

    What suggestions can you make for reference works on conventional language-like meaning of hand shapes and positions in European and in Ancient Near Eastern art? Or elsewhere if you know of them.

    We will be grateful for any information you can provide. Please respond with copies

    BOTH to Joseph A. Castronovo Jr. at castronoU.Arizona.EDU

    AND to Lloyd Anderson at ECOLINGaol.com