'the linguists'

[Richard Smith]

Hey Susan,
Greg Anderson came out to Wyandotte OK recently to speak with tribal reps.
who might want Living Tongues help save languages.

I was gabbing in the office with tribal members i hadn't seen in awhile
and i kept wondering when DR. Greg Anderson was going to arrive.
Someone was on the phone in the office so i wandered in the hall
to scan the parking lot and i walked past a young local guy sitting there .
I went outside and this "local guy" walks up behind me and introduces
himself as Greg Anderson!
HA! so much for my sterotypes of DRs of linguistics!
We had a great time sharing and his passion is genuine and his conversation
over lunch kept drifting to villages in upper Siberia,
where he spent an entire year...often....just staying alive.

Scholars can snivel about these guys as Indiana Jones image
types.....well, it might be a little over dramatic,
but it ain't far off!

Richard Zane Smith
Wyandotte Oklahoma





On 1/27/08 6:21 AM, "Susan Penfield" <susan.penfield at GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Basically, I was told, that the most interesting segments (to the targeted
> PBS) involved David Harrison and Greg (whose last name
> I can't remember)....A decision was made to focus more on them and their
> adventures in identifying endangered languages --
> 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.
>  
> 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.
>  
> That is all I know at this point...
> S.
>  
> 
> 
>  
> On Jan 26, 2008 9:39 PM, Claire Bowern <anggarrgoon at gmail.com> wrote:
>> does anyone know why the name of the film was changed?
>> Claire
>> 
>> Susan Penfield wrote:
>>> > I agree...Let's hope more of these types of films start to surface at
>>> > places like Sundance.
>>> >
>>> > A footnote about 'The Linguists': -- the film makers (Ironbound Films)
>>> > included a wonderful section in the film with Johnny Hill, Jr
>>> > (Chemehuevi from Parker, Arizona) and paid for Johnny to attend Sundance
>>> > last week. I just got a call from Johnny about it all -- He had a great
>>> > time and really welcomed all the press attention he got. He is a
>>> > wonderful ambassador for many 'last speakers' (as the film was
>>> > originally called) and got front page news in some of the local papers
>>> > (at Sundance)...as well as radio interviews while he was there. He was
>>> > most touched by some comments from  the other native people who were
>>> > attending and who made contact with him after his public interviews.
>>> >
>>> > I think all public attention for the plight of endangered languages is
>>> > important as raising awareness is part of the much needed work of
>>> > 'language activists' ====and film is a bold and very expressive way to
>>> > reach a broader audience.
>>> >
>>> > Susan
>>> >
> 
> 


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