First post

[James Crippen]

This is the first post for the ATHABPASCKAN-L mailing list.

The old ATHLANG-L mailing list seems to be defunct. I asked the
Linguist List staff to create and host this new mailing list to fill
the vacuum left by the loss of the old list. Because the Linguist List
is hosting this list, it won't die off in a couple of years due to
loss of hosting services or the like. Also, if the manager (currently
me) ceases to be active, others can volunteer to take over this duty
without much problem.

The name is intended to be a humorous blend of the four different
spellings of "Athabaskan" (my preference), "Athabascan", "Athapaskan",
and "Athapascan", all of which see use in different communities. I
used it to show that this list is not meant to focus on one specific
area or tradition of Athabaskan language studies, but instead embrace
the entire field.

Discussion of issues in language documentation, conservation,
maintenance, teaching, and revitalization are warmly welcomed, as long
as they bear closely on the Athabaskan languages and their relatives.

Discussion of Yeniseic languages and the Dene-Yeniseic connection is
an acceptable topic, as is arguing for or against the
inclusion of Haida, or about other long range historical
reconstructions. Keep in mind that these topics are not the primary
purpose of the list, however.

Conference announcements, publication announcements, journal contents,
job/funding announcements, and other "business" postings are also
appropriate. Posting of article contents (journalistic or academic) is
acceptable as long as permission is obtained (or fair use applies) and
sources are credited.

The usual rules of e-mail list etiquette apply. Please avoid
top-posting (http://www.google.com/search?q=top+posting) and HTML
e-mail. Messages using Unicode (UTF-8) text are acceptable, and indeed
encouraged. Please avoid excessive posting and acrimonious debate.

Cheers,
James Crippen