Biloxi update

[ROOD DAVID S]

The Siouan Archive files were originally prepared on punch cards in the
early 1970s.  Over the years they have been transferred from cards to
nine-inch tapes, then to 3.25 inch disks, and now to a CD.  What used to
be a large closet-full of boxes and file cabinets is now one CD.
However, each step in the update was merely copying for the most part.
The six-bit character set restrictions we started with have not been
changed, so there is a lot of two and three character encoding of complex
symbols (we didn't even have lower case roman letters in our first
character set).

Currently a student with some interest in programming is writing
conversion algorithms to make the database look more like the printed
version.  He has finished Kennard's Mandan, and oddly enough, the next
assignment I have given him is the Biloxi texts and dictionary.  He's
doing this as a volunteer, however, so I don't know when he might get
done.
	The Archive contains none of the manuscripts, just the printed
versions of the texts and dictionary.  It's in a very primitive data-base
format (data bases were new and primitive when we started, too); it's
really only searchable with a word-processor-like "find" command for
particular strings.  But the labor intensive part of transferring the data
from print to electronics is done.
	John Koontz may know how to send you the Biloxi files
electronically; I don't, but I can copy and mail you a CD if that will be
useful.  On the other hand, I think you might profit from studying the
printed form for a bit, with Einaudi as a guide, and see if we get an
improved character-set version of the Biloxi in the near future.
	Best,
	David




David S. Rood
Dept. of Linguistics
Univ. of Colorado
295 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0295
USA
rood at colorado.edu

On Sun, 10 Oct 2004, David Kaufman wrote:

> Already ordered a copy of the dictionary--a used hardback in "good" condition through Amazon.  Should be arriving in the next week or so.  I'm not sure if this one has the texts in it, but a NEW copy (which was all I saw) with texts costs $99.00!  A bit much at the moment.  Eventually I'm sure I'll get it, but I'll see where I get with the other things, especially the ordered dictionary, first.
>
> Are these U of Colorado Siouan archives something I can access online?  Also going to track down the IJAL article.  So, Bob, you mentioned you did a couple of papers on Biloxi-Ofo?  Is this something you could email copies of, or forward via snail mail?
>
> I'm also wondering if, since Biloxi is the farthest afield of the Siouan languages, it is also the most divergent?  I know in the case of Cherokee it became the most divergent of the Iroquois family because of its fairly early shift farther south.  Wonder if the same is true of Biloxi in the Siouan family.  It'll be interesting to compare Hidatsa, in the far north, with Biloxi, in the far south, to see how much these two Siouan languages have diverged.
>
> Thanks again!
>
> Dave
>
> "R. Rankin" <rankin at ku.edu> wrote:
> Oh, and don't forget the computer files of D&S's texts and dictionaries at the
> U. of Colorado's Siouan Archive. It was recorded in the older ASCII symbol set
> with all-CAPS and numerals for diacritics, but it can be dubbed down into
> Windows symbols/formatting by you. It's much easier to search than the book
> (which should always be on hand for double checking for typoes.
>
> Bob
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "R. Rankin"
> To:
> Sent: Sunday, October 10, 2004 3:45 PM
> Subject: Re: Biloxi update
>
>
> > > Can the dictionary be special ordered perhaps through Borders or
> Amazon.com?
> >
> > There are lots of used copies floating around. Amazon.com's websites
> > incorporates inventories from several other antiquarian booksellers. check
> > there first.
> >
> > > May I request a copy of Einaudi's dissertation from U of Colorado by phone
> or
> > email to be sent to me?
> >
> > It was published by Garland Press. There should be used copies floating
> around.
> >
> > Whom would I contact at the Smithsonian to get copies of Dorsey's field notes?
> >
> > Go to the National Anthropological Archives website and start there. They
> > charge an arm and a leg for photocopying but may have the Biloxi on microfilm.
> > I don't know.
> >
> > > I would imagine documenting an "extinct" language has its own problems,
> since
> > there are no longer native speakers left with which to confirm data. But I
> > suppose it also has its advantages in that one doesn't have to go through the
> > long and difficult process of establishing rapports with native speakers and
> > become involved in tribal politics which I've heard sometimes happens in field
> > work. It seems my main difficulty would just be in gathering, from a
> distance,
> > all the extant materials and prior work that has been done.
> >
> > Better look at Dorsey and Swanton first, and Einaudi. It's true that for
> > philological analysis of texts lots of comparative work is useful.
> >
> > > I'm also curious about one other thing: since I currently have an MA (not a
> > PhD) in linguistics, would it be too illogical to assume that once one is
> > already involved in analysis of a language, that it would be easier to be
> > accepted to a PhD-granting university? I mean if I were to make a career of
> > analyzing a language and would be developing the material for a dissertation
> > anyway, and then some!, wouldn't this also suggest easier acceptance into a
> > program? I have actually considered applying to Canadian or British
> > universities where I understand all that's required is research and a
> > dissertation, and extra course work is not needed as is the case here in the
> US.
> > I'm nearly 42 years old, so of course time is an issue for me in achieving a
> > PhD. Not that I'm hellbent on achieving a PhD (it really doesn't matter that
> > much to me either way) but since I'd already be doing the research and work
> that
> > a dissertation would entail, why not?
> >
> > I'm sure there are lots of Ph.D. programs in Linguistics that would love to
> have
> > applicants. This is especially true with international student applications
> > down 20 or 30%. You'd maybe want a local Siouanist and definitely the
> > availability of comparative linguistics if possible. That restricts the
> > possibilities somewhat. At the moment I guess you might think of Colorado,
> > Chicago, UCSB, UCLA, UCB, Indiana, Utah, SUNY Buffalo, UBC, Regina, Toronto in
> > no particular order. I'm probably leaving someone out. I'm retiring in May
> or
> > I'd mention KS. There are some Anthropology depts among these too.
> >
> > Bob
> > >
> > > Thanks again for your feedback and answering my many questions!
> > >
> > > Dave
> > >
> > > "R. Rankin" wrote:
> > > The place to start with Biloxi is John R. Swanton and James Owen Dorsey, A
> > > Dictionary of the Biloxi and Ofo Languages. BAE Bulletin 47, 1912. Paula
> > > Einaudi's U. of Colorado dissertation from about '74 is based on D&S and is
> a
> > > good starting place for further work. I reviewed the book for IJAL and have
> > > written a few additional papers on Biloxi and Ofo. The Smithsonian has
> > Dorsey's
> > > original Biloxi field notes which may contain additional information.
> Gatschet
> > > did a little earlier field work incorporated by Dorsey. Mary Haas located a
> > > woman in about 1934 who could remember a few words of Biloxi and she
> published
> > a
> > > paper in IJAL in about 1968 entitled "The last words of Biloxi". Randy
> Graczyk
> > > has a nice paper on Biloxi switch-reference particles in MS form.
> > >
> > > There is much about Biloxi morphosyntax that needs clarification. Einaudi's
> > > sketch is a beginning, but the definitive Biloxi grammar is yet to be
> written.
> > > I don't think another "dissertation length" treatise would cover it. It is
> > > pretty much a career's worth of work for somebody. Not me -- I have noodled
> > > around with it, but I'm too old and have too much on my plate already. I
> hope
> > > you or someone else will work with what's available.
> > >
> > > Hint: Take Dorsey's two series of stop consonants (plain and with subscript
> > > dots) seriously. They represent distinct phonological series that were
> missed
> > > by virtually everybody after Dorsey.
> > >
> > > Another hint: A single linguist per language guarantees totally inadequate
> > > coverage. There is still much to analyze in Dakotan, and numerous linguists
> > > have been trying to understand how that language works for well over 150
> > years.
> > > The other Siouan languages haven't seen nearly as much work. There's plenty
> to
> > > do with both texts and speakers in a variety of languages, and if it's done
> > > right, both speakers and linguists will appreciate the effort.
> > >
> > > Bob
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "David Kaufman"
> > > To:
> > > Sent: Saturday, October 09, 2004 6:54 PM
> > > Subject: Re: Hidatsa update
> > >
> > >
> > > > Thanks, John B., for your response and update on Hiraca. Glad to hear from
> > > you and know you're still involved in the tribe's efforts to revitalize it.
> > > >
> > > > Also, I wanted to ask the list about Biloxi. I was informed that there are
> a
> > > lot of texts available. I'm not sure if it's still spoken or if it's one of
> > the
> > > unfortunate extinct Siouan languages. Also, I'm wondering if anyone is
> > > currently involved in its research. Since I'm still willing and able to work
> > on
> > > a Siouan language, and since right now it's rather difficult financially for
> > me
> > > to travel across the country to do fieldwork, I feel I'd be in a very good
> > > position to study an "extinct" language which involves only written
> materials
> > > and texts. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can get more info on this
> > > language and its current status and where I may be able to get hold of
> copies
> > of
> > > its texts?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks.
> > > >
> > > > Dave Kaufman
> > > >
> > > > John Boyle wrote:
> > > > Hello, I'm wondering what the status is right now of work on the Hiraca
> > > (Hidatsa) and Hocak (Winnebago) languages. I have not seen list email
> > > correspondence from John Boyle recently, whom I know was working on Hiraca
> (at
> > > least he was a couple of years ago when I visited Chicago). I wouldn't mind
> > > getting hold of any new documentation, dictionaries, updated grammars, or
> any
> > > other materials which may have been recently published, or which I may
> obtain
> > > for my own library and self-study purposes. I recently sent an email
> regarding
> > > Cherokee and Hawaiian. (I take it by the lack of response that there are no
> > > Siouanists out there also delving into these non-Siouan languages, or know
> of
> > > anyone who does.) These are the two indigenous languages I'm putting most of
> > my
> > > efforts into right now, but I always keep an eye on Hiraca, Hocak, and some
> > > other Siouan languages as well, although I'm not formally or professionally
> > > involved in working on these languages. It's strictly for my own
> > > > information and personal interest. Thanks. Dave
> > > Kaufmandvklinguist2003 at yahoo.com
> > > >
> > > > ---------------------------------
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Hi All,
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Well, I'm still working on Hidatsa. I have just completed a dissertation
> > > chapter on relative clauses which is more or less ready to go. It is pretty
> > > theoretical with a lot of syntactic trees, but if anyone would like a copy,
> > I'd
> > > be happy to send a pdf. I have also spent a good chunk of the summer
> entering
> > > Wes Jones' Word List/Dictionary into an excel spread sheet, so that it is
> > > searchable. Unfortunately, I use fonts that are probably not compatible for
> PC
> > > users. I hope to do a find and replace in the near future so that it is
> > > available for the schools on the reservation and anyone else who would like
> a
> > > copy. Throughout the coming year, I plan on checking all of the words and
> > > adding more to the list. All in all, it is a really good word list although
> > > some of the non-traditional words are not agreed upon by some people, so
> we'll
> > > want to flag those.
> > > > We are also working on lesson plans and grammar exercises for the
> > > schools to ensure that we are in line with all of the "No Child Left Behind"
> > > guidelines. In addition, we hope to be completing a "Sketch" for Lincolm on
> > > Hidatsa within the next year and a half. With regards to texts, I have
> > > completed interlinear breakdowns for all of the Lowie and Earth Lodge texts
> in
> > > addition to several others, giving us a total of 13 completed texts (which
> is
> > > over 1150 lines). There is still some inconsistency within the texts as my
> > > analysis has changed over the years, so I wouldn't feel so comfortable
> giving
> > > these out. In addition, some of the Hidatsa feel that some of these stories
> > > shouldn't be told to outsiders, so we still have to work through that
> > culturally
> > > sensitive point.
> > > > Other than that, things are going well on Ft. Berthold. The new
> > > immersion programs are working well for the younger children and the high
> > school
> > > programs are becoming more uniform in their content.
> > > > With regards to Hocank, I assume that Helmbrecht is still actively
> > > working on the language and I know that there are very active language
> > > revitalization programs going on on all of the reservations.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > So that's what's going an as far as I know.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > All the best,
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > John (Boyle not Koontz)
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ---------------------------------
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> > >
> > >
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> >
>
>
>
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