[EDLING:1328] CFP: Quantitative Sociolinguistic Studies of Indigenous Minority Languages

[Tamara Warhol]

via the linguist list . . .

Date: 11-Mar-2006
From: James N. Stanford <stanfo23msu.edu>
Subject: Call for Papers: Indigenous Minority Languages


Call for Papers:

Quantitative Sociolinguistic Studies of Indigenous Minority Languages
Edited by James N. Stanford and Dennis R. Preston
Michigan State University

This anthology will explore language variation in indigenous minority
language groups. Such lesser-known languages have rarely been the focus of
quantitative (variationist) sociolinguistic research, so this anthology
will promote a more diverse and inclusive perspective on the understanding
of language variation. We will present a wide range of studies that can be
placed side-by-side in order to highlight both the similarities and
differences in language variation processes among such underrepresented
languages and cultures. In this way, the anthology can serve as a platform
for examining universal sociolinguistic tendencies across cultures and at
the same time perhaps isolate new aspects of the study of language
variation, allowing us to ask what aspects of current sociolinguistic
models may need to be reconsidered in light of lesser-known languages and
cultures.

To this end, we are seeking papers with a focus on quantitative
(variationist) sociolinguistic research in indigenous minority language
communities. Specifically, we are looking for research studies that use
quantitative sociolinguistic approaches (in the ''Labovian'' tradition)
rather than qualitative, ethnographic work. The studies will focus on
language variation and change with regard to both influential linguistic
and social factors but will not be descriptive accounts only of the
grammars or ethnographic settings of such languages, although we recognize
that some such material may be necessarily included to give readers a
sufficient understanding of both the linguistic and social detail to
appreciate the contribution.

By ''indigenous minority languages'' we refer to ethnic groups that are (a)
indigenous to a specific region, (b) a minority language or a language
dominated by another (or others) in that region, and (c) linguistically and
culturally divergent from the majority group. We favor studies about
minority groups whose languages are relatively insulated from the effects
of majority groups so that unique characteristics of indigenous language
sociolinguistics may be investigated, although we are aware of the fact
that many interesting aspects of such languages are embedded in language
contact situations and do not exclude such accounts automatically.

Timetable:
April 30, 2006: Deadline for receiving notices of an interest in
contributing a chapter
May 31, 2006: Deadline for an abstract of the proposed chapter (PDF files
of 500 words or less)
December 31, 2006: Deadline for receiving completed chapter manuscripts
March 1, 2007: Completed manuscript sent to the publisher

Publication plans: The anthology will be submitted to John Benjamins
Publishing Company for their series ''IMPACT: Studies in Language and
Society.'' They have indicated a strong interest during preliminary
discussions.

Please send an e-mail notice of your interest in contributing a chapter to:
James Stanford
stanfo23msu.edu
Department of Linguistics and Languages
Wells Hall A-614
Michigan State University
E. Lansing, MI 48824-1027