Linguistics Discussion 2013 and Beyond discussion

Welcome, Saira!

Saira wrote: "Hello. I'm Saira. I'm mostly interested in linguistics through my love for learning foreign languages. I am learning quite a few of them. :)"

Hi there, we're still getting the group set up but no doubt by March when uni's back the threads will be getting a bit of attention :D

For now, we'll amuse ourselves with tumbleweeds.

In a linguistics group, I'm sure it's OK to be picky:

Jonathan wrote: "...by March when uni's back..."

My initial reading of that was "when university term starts", but even in Australia, I'd guess the summer hols end before then, which left me wondering if you meant the opposite, i.e. when the uni students are back home (for the Easter hols). I'm not saying what you wrote is wrong, but wondering whether there is a regional difference, or I just read too much - or too little - into a casual phrase.

Oh, and "hello" to Connor, Aloha and Saira (and anyone else I've missed).

Cecily wrote: "In a linguistics group, I'm sure it's OK to be picky:

Jonathan wrote: "...by March when uni's back..."

My initial reading of that was "when university term starts", but even in Australia, I'd gue..."

It's a regional difference I believe. Also it is to do with my personal situation. I start back at university in early March (I didn't do a summer trimester/term) hence my summer holidays have been running from October till March...

Hi, Cecily! *waves*

Thanks, Jonathan. I'm always intrigued by the subtle differences in language and life in different English-speaking countries.

(Waves back to Aloha - for the last time, lest this get silly!)

Hi everyone,
I just joined the group yesterday and thought I'd introduce myself. When I saw there was a linguistics group, I just had to join! I'm bilingual, have a master's in linguistics, and I guess could be called a linguist by profession-- I'm a lexicographer, copy editor, and occasional translator. I love learning new languages, although at this point I'd only call myself proficient in two (maybe three, if you count French reading, not speaking!). I'm especially interested in endangered languages and language varieties.

Welcome, Jennifer!

Welcome, Jennifer! Like you, I can read French but not speak it. I definitely find it much easier to absorb information than to spit it out. This group's just started, so it may be slow to get going.

Jennifer wrote: "Hi everyone,
I just joined the group yesterday and thought I'd introduce myself. When I saw there was a linguistics group, I just had to join! I'm bilingual, have a master's in linguistics, and I g..."

Wow, that's really impressive. Feel free to contribute as you feel you'd like to!

Jennifer wrote: "Hi everyone,
I just joined the group yesterday and thought I'd introduce myself. When I saw there was a linguistics group, I just had to join! I'm bilingual, have a master's in linguistics, and I g..."

Curious cat wants to know what the other language is? And hi there!

Saira wrote: "Hello. I'm Saira. I'm mostly interested in linguistics through my love for learning foreign languages. I am learning quite a few of them. :)"

Saira,

I just checked the languages (seven !) that you are studying and I am most impressed... How can you manage?

Hi everyone! I am currently at the beginning of my MPhil course in linguistics. My main interests include psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, phonology, syntax-semantics and evolutionary theories of language and cognition.
I am a native Croatian speaker with degrees in English and Czech, but despite that I am not really interested in foreign language learning, heh. :)
I am looking forward to discussions. Such a wonderful group!!!
Warm greetings!
X
Ana

Welcome, Ana!

Ana-Marija wrote: "Hi everyone! I am currently at the beginning of my MPhil course in linguistics. My main interests include psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, phonology, syntax-semantics and evolutionary theories ..."

Wow, welcome Ana! I look forward to the insights your linguistic interests bring.

Kalliope wrote: "Saira wrote: "Hello. I'm Saira. I'm mostly interested in linguistics through my love for learning foreign languages. I am learning quite a few of them. :)"

Saira,

I just checked the languages (se..."

It's actually more now. I don't manage them too well. Mostly because I don't have good resources or enough time. Now that my English class is over, I will have enough time to figure it out.

Kyle wrote: "Ana-Marija wrote: "Hi everyone! I am currently at the beginning of my MPhil course in linguistics. My main interests include psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, phonology, syntax-semantics and evo..."

Aloha wrote: "Welcome, Ana!"

thank you! I hope to learn many interesting things from different people - professionals and enthusiasts alike! Really happy to be here! :)

Howdy all!

I was so excited to find this group. I have a minor in linguistics and will start work toward my masters in forensic linguistics this fall. I also spent three years teaching English in Japan to elementary and junior high school kids.

I have had a copy of the Language Instinct sitting on my shelf unread for far too long, so I can't wait to read and discuss it with all of you.

Amanda wrote: "Howdy all!

I was so excited to find this group. I have a minor in linguistics and will start work toward my masters in forensic linguistics this fall. I also spent three years teaching English i..."

Glad you could join us, Amanda. Your possession of Language Instinct already, must means it must be fate you found us. :)

Hi,

I'm Lit Bug, doing my doctorate in Feminist Cyberpunk, with an emphasis on how language determines and is determined by social norms. I was recommended this group by a fellow GR member who suggested I post a query here in order to get a better, well-informed solution.

So this is how I came across to this place, and I already see many interesting threads!

Lit Bug wrote: "Hi,

I'm Lit Bug, doing my doctorate in Feminist Cyberpunk, with an emphasis on how language determines and is determined by social norms. I was recommended this group by a fellow GR member who sug..."

Welcome to the group, hopefully we can help you out a bit and definitely feel free to post as many threads as you need!

Hi. I'm Gail. I love linguistics, more as a hobby, as I'm not studying it, but love reading about it, and am fascinated by different languages, and how people learn language, and how language changes and develops, and how it shapes, and is shaped by, society's attitudes and values.

!!!!!!!! THAT'S ME!!!!!!!!

Hello Gail! Nice to meet you.

This group seems to have become very quiet lately, actually...

Traveller wrote: "Hello Gail! Nice to meet you.

This group seems to have become very quiet lately, actually..."

Hi Traveller - nice to meet you too.

And yes, I noticed after posting that I was the first person to post here in two months! :-)

Hi Saira. I just took a look at your profile, and gosh - you're learning 7 languages? All that the same time? I am in awe! I try to teach myself a bit of Italian and a bit of Swedish sometimes, but haven't got very far.

Gail wrote: "Hi Saira. I just took a look at your profile, and gosh - you're learning 7 languages? All that the same time? I am in awe! I try to teach myself a bit of Italian and a bit of Swedish sometimes, but..."

Wow! Seven languages?! I can barely manage to make progress learning one!

The basics of about 10 now, but right now I'm an focused on Russian, Inuktitut, Gaelic, and Swahili in depth. I need to go update my profile...

Only two or three additional languages would do for me... *goes green with envy*

Hi, I'm Anna, I have a Master's degree in linguistics, and I joined the group because now that I'm out of grad school and am not currently associated with a university, I miss discussion about linguistics. I'm really interested in semiotics and in language creation. I focused on analytical linguistics in my degree, so language creation seems like a nice way to branch out from that.

Hi
I'm Amin and I've been a member for quite a while. I've been working on Social Theory and Systemics throughout my Masters in linguistics. I'd be glad to discuss issues regarding social theory and stuff.

It's a while since I read "The Language Instinct". I read "The Unfolding Of Language" by Guy Deutscher last year, and found it riveting, although I did skim through the arguments on Semitic verbs (Salaam and the like, which reassuringly ends in the syllable that starts damyata from Sanskrit, although that has just occurred to me).
He recommended Adele Goldberg's book on
"Constructions at Work: The Nature of Generalization in Language", which treats how children acquire verb frames. This is a needed update on Stephen Pinker's doctoral thesis that was published as a book, what 35 years ago?
Clearly Chomsky from his first paper knew nothing about formal logic, and similarly many linguists know nothing about mathematical co-variance and its use in machine-learning. I don't think Goldberg draws the analogy.

Amin wrote: "Hi
I'm Amin and I've been a member for quite a while. I've been working on Social Theory and Systemics throughout my Masters in linguistics. I'd be glad to discuss issues regarding social theory an..."

Hey, these topics are very interesting (Systemics and Social Theory) would you mind sharing a few titles?

Best regards.

This group looks promising in terms of topics but I see no recent postings. What's going on? I've been reading linguistics for 58 years and am currently reading two books on Creolistics by McWhorter as well as reading poetry in Kweyol. Other languages, too. Any response will be appreciated.
Pat

This group looks great, but is it still active? No recent posts or activity ):

I think of it as a reference. I watch for new posts.