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<TITLE>Re: [ILAT] 'the linguists'</TITLE>
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<FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:14.0px'>Hey Susan,<BR>
Greg Anderson came out to Wyandotte OK recently to speak with tribal reps.<BR>
who might want Living Tongues help save languages.<BR>
<BR>
I was gabbing in the office with tribal members i hadn't seen in awhile<BR>
and i kept wondering when DR. Greg Anderson was going to arrive.<BR>
Someone was on the phone in the office so i wandered in the hall <BR>
to scan the parking lot and i walked past a young local guy sitting there .<BR>
I went outside and this "local guy" walks up behind me and introduces <BR>
himself as Greg Anderson! <BR>
HA! so much for my sterotypes of DRs of linguistics!<BR>
We had a great time sharing and his passion is genuine and his conversation<BR>
over lunch kept drifting to villages in upper Siberia, <BR>
where he spent an entire year...often....just staying alive.<BR>
<BR>
Scholars can snivel about these guys as Indiana Jones image<BR>
types.....well, it might be a little over dramatic, <BR>
but it ain't far off!<BR>
<BR>
Richard Zane Smith<BR>
Wyandotte Oklahoma<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
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<BR>
<BR>
On 1/27/08 6:21 AM, "Susan Penfield" <susan.penfield@GMAIL.COM> wrote:<BR>
<BR>
</SPAN></FONT><BLOCKQUOTE><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:14.0px'>Basically, I was told, that the most interesting segments (to the targeted PBS) involved David Harrison and Greg (whose last name<BR>
I can't remember)....A decision was made to focus more on them and their adventures in identifying endangered languages --<BR>
a little 'Indiana Jones' -like. Linguists themselves might object to this image (I think I saw a mention of that on Jane Simpson's blog)...and most in the linguistics community still favor the title, "The Last Speakers" -- However, getting attention of the general public is a different thing -- and I do think we should all be grateful that awareness for endangered languages will no doubt be raised.<BR>
<BR>
It is also possible that the movie, "The Last Speakers" ...will still be produced for educational purposes -- a different venue than actual PBS productions. This version will be a more realistic and include additional footage with speakers. <BR>
<BR>
That is all I know at this point...<BR>
S.<BR>
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<BR>
<BR>
On Jan 26, 2008 9:39 PM, Claire Bowern <anggarrgoon@gmail.com> wrote:<BR>
</SPAN></FONT><BLOCKQUOTE><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:14.0px'>does anyone know why the name of the film was changed?<BR>
Claire<BR>
<BR>
Susan Penfield wrote:<BR>
> I agree...Let's hope more of these types of films start to surface at<BR>
> places like Sundance.<BR>
><BR>
> A footnote about 'The Linguists': -- the film makers (Ironbound Films)<BR>
> included a wonderful section in the film with Johnny Hill, Jr<BR>
> (Chemehuevi from Parker, Arizona) and paid for Johnny to attend Sundance<BR>
> last week. I just got a call from Johnny about it all -- He had a great<BR>
> time and really welcomed all the press attention he got. He is a<BR>
> wonderful ambassador for many 'last speakers' (as the film was<BR>
> originally called) and got front page news in some of the local papers<BR>
> (at Sundance)...as well as radio interviews while he was there. He was<BR>
> most touched by some comments from the other native people who were<BR>
> attending and who made contact with him after his public interviews.<BR>
><BR>
> I think all public attention for the plight of endangered languages is<BR>
> important as raising awareness is part of the much needed work of<BR>
> 'language activists' ====and film is a bold and very expressive way to<BR>
> reach a broader audience.<BR>
><BR>
> Susan<BR>
><BR>
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