[Lingtyp] ALT: code of conduct

Tue Nov 21 11:11:45 UTC 2017

Dear all,

While I have nothing to add to the substance of this discussion, let me point out that adopting a loosely-worded code of conduct leaves open the option of adding provisions later (if enough people agree that this is a good idea), whereas I suspect it is much harder to remove provisions from a code of conduct that has already been adopted.

Siva

> On 21 Nov 2017, at 8:37 pm, Völkel, Dr. Svenja <svenja.voelkel at uni-mainz.de> wrote:
> 
> Dear all,
> 
> in case, we really need a code, Giorgio Arcadia's summarized version based on Martin Haspelmath) is a proposal that I would support.
> 
> Some remarks:
> - It is a reasonable guideline to minimize all kinds of disrespect (culture-specific offenses, gender-specific offenses, etc) - it generates awareness but it surely does not prevent personal offenses to happen, unintentionally or deliberately.
> - It corresponds to the basic behavior that anthropologists as well as field linguists are taught. More specific versions are hardly possible in view of the numerous culture-specific practices and perceptions.
> - In my view, it is sad that it needs to be written down as official code, as these basics of respect should guide inter-personal behaviour anyhow.
> 
> Best,
> Svenja Völkel
> 
> Von: Lingtyp <lingtyp-bounces at listserv.linguistlist.org> im Auftrag von Giorgio Francesco Arcodia <giorgio.arcodia at unimib.it>
> Gesendet: Dienstag, 21. November 2017 08:13:45
> An: Maia Ponsonnet
> Cc: lingtyp at listserv.linguistlist.org
> Betreff: Re: [Lingtyp] ALT: code of conduct
>  
> In reply to Hedvig: Martin H. actually did propose an alternative, I'll paste it here:
> 
> Conference participants will:
> treat fellow participants, students, volunteers, and any other members of the public with respect, dignity, impartiality, courtesy and sensitivity;
> maintain a cooperative and collaborative approach to inter-personal relationships;
> respect the privacy of others;
> ensure that they do not become involved in or encourage discrimination against or harassment of participants, students, volunteers, or any other members of the public.
> 
> I think this is a very reasonable proposal, and I would support it.
> 
> Best,
> 
> Giorgio
> 
> 
> 
> On 21 Nov 2017 01:48, "Maia Ponsonnet" <maia.ponsonnet at uwa.edu.au <mailto:maia.ponsonnet at uwa.edu.au>> wrote:
> Dear all, 
> 
> I am writing to rectify the gender imbalance on this list, where most conversations including this one seem to be male dominated ;-). 
> 
> I am a woman and those of you who know me (even just as FB friends for that matter) know that I care and am vocal about gender (im)balance.
> 
> This is precisely why myself and my colleague Gwen Hyslop, who I am just discussing the matter with, are voting NO to the code of conduct. 
> 
> While we agree that there is a need for awareness, the "trend" imposed by such actions can only, in our opinion, be detrimental to interpersonal relationships and to gender balance in particular. 
> 
> The reasons are multiple and complex, and I am not prepared to discuss them on this list. I will be happy to discuss them in private (and preferably face to face) if appropriate.
>  
> With best regards, 
> Maïa & Gwen
>  
> 
> Dr Maïa Ponsonnet
> Senior Lecturer in Linguistics
> ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Fellow
> 
> Social Sciences Building, Room 2.47
> Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Education
> The University of Western Australia
> 35 Stirling Hwy, Perth, WA (6009), Australia
> P.  +61 (0) 8 6488 2870 <tel:+61%208%206488%202870> - M.  +61 (0) 468 571 030 <tel:+61%20468%20571%20030>
> 
> 
> 
> From: Lingtyp <lingtyp-bounces at listserv.linguistlist.org <mailto:lingtyp-bounces at listserv.linguistlist.org>> on behalf of David Gil <gil at shh.mpg.de <mailto:gil at shh.mpg.de>>
> Sent: Tuesday, 21 November 2017 8:34 AM
> 
> To: lingtyp at listserv.linguistlist.org <mailto:lingtyp at listserv.linguistlist.org>
> Subject: Re: [Lingtyp] ALT: code of conduct
>  
> Having said my bit I was hoping not to have to add to the discussion, 
> but I feel the need to counter two lines of rhetoric that seem to have 
> emerged.  (I do so without offering actual citations because I think it 
> is important to maintain a civilized conversation devoid of ad hominem 
> remarks.)
> 
> First, I am uncomfortable with the implication that there is a job to be 
> done and that this is somehow being "derailed" by too much discussion.  
> The debate is precisely on what should be done, what is ethical and what 
> is practical.  If we're to invoke train metaphors, then I would counter 
> by saying that we must avoid being railroaded into one very specific way 
> of going about addressing the problem. Which leads into ...
> 
> Secondly, and perhaps more cogently, I am very uncomfortable with the 
> implication that people who support the code of ethics somehow take the 
> issues more seriously than those who are opposed to it. I suspect most 
> ALT members would agree that we are in a gender-based conflict involving 
> multiple levels of aggression, coercion and violence, mostly if not 
> exclusively waged by men against women. And that we desperately need to 
> do something about it.  The debate is over the methods, and it is a 
> legitimate debate.  Just is it is possible to argue over the 
> justification of the WWII carpet bombing of Dresden without being 
> accused of harbouring Nazi sympathies, so it should be possible to 
> criticize the proposed ALT code of ethics without being suspected of 
> lacking sympathy or understanding for the struggles that are faced by women.
> 
> David
> 
> -- 
> David Gil
> 
> Department of Linguistic and Cultural Evolution
> Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History
> Kahlaische Strasse 10, 07745 Jena, Germany
> 
> Email: gil at shh.mpg.de <mailto:gil at shh.mpg.de>
> Office Phone (Germany): +49-3641686834 <tel:+49%203641%20686834>
> Mobile Phone (Indonesia): +62-81281162816 <tel:+62%20812-8116-2816>
> 
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