Overview

Women have been a dynamic force in American linguistics, yet this has not always been apparent in current histories of linguistics. For twentieth century linguistics, Julia S. Falk argues, the same story has been told over and over: a story of leading men, their followers, and their interest in language as a structure observable in patterns of the distribution of forms. This book challenges this received history by presenting a much-needed re-evaluation of twentieth century American linguistics which focuses on the contributions of women to our modern understanding of language. Falk relates an account of linguistics as perceived and experienced by three American women in the first half of the twentieth century. Alice Vanderbilt Morris dreamed of creating a new auxiliary language for international communication, and brought together professional linguists and members of the New York upper class to achieve her goal. Gladys Amanda Reichard devoted her life to the study of Native American languages; despite opposition from men who claimed the territory, her studies still survive. And E.Adelaide Hahn brought themes of modern linguistics to the study of Latin and Hittite, keeping her colleagues mindful of ancient and classical languages. Rather than the standard American story of an increasingly triumphant march of scientific inquiry towards structural phonology, Women, Language and Linguistics reveals a linguistics where the purpose of language was communication; the appeal of languages lay in their diversity; and the authority of language resided with its speakers and writers. Julia S. Falk explores the vital part which women have played in preserving a linguistics based on the reality and experience of language; this book finally brings to light a neglected perspective for those working in linguistics and the history of linguistics.

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9780415133159

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'Falk raises awareness of the history of linguistics as a whole and the role of women in the field.' - Susan D. Fischer, Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development

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Julia S. Falk

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