29.247, Summer Schools: A Training Program in African Linguistics and Language Documentation: Fieldwork Opportunity in Ghana/USA and Ghana

Tue Jan 16 16:44:01 UTC 2018

LINGUIST List: Vol-29-247. Tue Jan 16 2018. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 29.247, Summer Schools: A Training Program in African Linguistics and Language Documentation: Fieldwork Opportunity in Ghana/USA and Ghana

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Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2018 11:43:44
From: Harold Torrence [htorrence at humnet.ucla.edu]
Subject: A Training Program in African Linguistics and Language Documentation: Fieldwork Opportunity in Ghana

A Training Program in African Linguistics and Language Documentation: Fieldwork Opportunity in Ghana

Host Institution: University of California, Los Angeles
Coordinating Institution: City University of New York

Dates: 18-Jun-2018 - 18-Aug-2018
Location: Accra, Ghana

Focus: This training project will focus on the documentation of endangered Ghanaian languages.
Minimum Education Level: BA

Description:
This project is a unique opportunity to conduct fieldwork on under-documented
and endangered languages in Ghana.  We seek early-career doctoral and masters
students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. in linguistics and who are seriously
considering writing a thesis involving linguistic fieldwork and language
documentation.  We are also seeking graduating or recently graduated
undergraduates who plan to pursue an advanced degree in linguistics.  We will
take into consideration previous training and achievements in linguistic
fieldwork and language documentation, and evidence of interest in the
languages of Africa, especially those of Ghana.  This is an opportunity for
students to gain experience in field linguistics and qualifications that would
facilitate applying for dissertation funding by the NSF Documenting Endangered
Languages - Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants. 

The goal of this project is to increase the number of African language
specialists at institutions in the USA by getting early-career linguists
involved in hands-on field research in Africa.  Therefore, we are particularly
interested in participants who can see themselves conducting fieldwork in
Africa as part of their doctoral or MA research and beyond.  Participants will
spend two weeks in classes at the 2018 CoLang Institute
(https://colang.lin.ufl.edu/), to be held at the University of Florida,
starting in mid-June 2018.  Participants will then travel with a research team
consisting of the two PIs (Dr. Harold Torrence and Dr. Jason Kandybowicz), a
postdoctoral scholar, a graduate research assistant, and other awardees to
Ghana to conduct six weeks of fieldwork.  By participating in the project,
participants will gain valuable training in linguistic fieldwork and language
documentation in the USA and then have the chance to immediately apply this
knowledge onsite in Ghana.  Additionally, students are asked to make a
commitment to write a research paper for presentation at a professional
academic conference in 2019. 

Funding:  Students will receive funding for food, lodging, airfare and travel
expenses, and a stipend of $3000.  

Dates:  The project will begin in June 2018 and end in June 2019. 
Participants will attend the 2018 CoLang Institute from mid-June 2018 to July
1, 2018.  Following this, participants will conduct fieldwork in Ghana from
July until mid-August 2018.  
Participant Background:  Applicants must be either graduate students or
advanced undergraduates at US institutions who are excited about the chance to
conduct fieldwork in Africa.  Applicants need not be US citizens. 

For more information, please contact Jason Kandybowicz
(jkandybowicz at gc.cuny.edu) or Harold Torrence (htorrence at humnet.ucla.edu).

Linguistic Field(s): Language Documentation

Language Families: Niger-Congo

Tuition: 0 USD

Financial Aid: Applications accepted until 28-Feb-2018
Students will receive a stipend of $3000.00.

Financial Aid Instructions:

Registration: 15-Jan-2018 to 28-Feb-2018

Contact Person: Harold Torrence
                Phone: 310-206-8906
                Email: ghanaproject at ucla.edu

Apply by Email: ghanaproject at ucla.edu

Registration Instructions:
Application Deadline and Timeline:  We will review applications until we have
decided on the awards.  Applicants should have their materials submitted by
February 28, 2018.  We will conduct interviews and will inform selected
participants by mid to late March 2018. 

Submission Guidelines:  Applicants should submit the following:
(1) A maximum two-page statement, explaining: (a) why the applicant is
interested in participating in the project; (b) the applicant’s academic
background; (c) how participation in this project fits in with the applicant’s
long term educational and career goals; and (d) evidence of ability to work
independently and/or self-motivate.
(2) a CV
(3) A copy of their transcripts (These can be unofficial.)
(4) A writing sample (which does not have to be on an African language)
(Students who have completed relevant research papers may send one such paper
as well.)
(5) Applicants should arrange for two letters of recommendation to be sent by
the deadline to ghanaproject at humnet.ucla.edu.  The email with the letter of
recommendation should have the subject line: Ghana Summer Fieldwork: student
name.  Letter writers should comment on the applicant’s academic preparation,
level of maturity and self-motivation.

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