Comparative Grammar workshop

[R. Rankin]

> As I understand it so far, a monograph or whatever on 
> Comparative Siouan Grammar will be a fairly complex 
> undertaking, if we want to get the job done right. 
> Grammar is a vast field, and so are Siouan studies. 
> If a single grammar starts at, say, 250 pages, and we 
> have, say, somewhere between 6-12 Siouan languages 
> that could provide data which are detailed enough 
> given today's situation, grammar multiplied by Siouan 
> might easily yield half a dozen volumes on 
> Comparative Siouan Grammar. I think we'll have to 
> come up with a detailed strategy on how to handle 
> this, especially on what topics to kick out because I 
> don't think we can cover everything, no matter how 
> fascinating this would be.

Again, speaking only for myself, what I was suggesting 
is a volume in which each chapter would be written by 
one or two individuals and would be a comparative (not 
necessarily historical) treatment of the way each 
language (or perhaps subgroup of languages) handles 
some particular phenomenon.  Examples would be, e.g., 
adverbial clauses, noun possession, TAM morphology, 
subordinate clauses (perhaps various types in different 
chapts.), switch reference, etc.  Each Siouanist would 
be able to draw on the expertise of any and all 
participants in writing his/her chapt.

The volume would specifically *not* be a book of 
grammar sketches, each written by the specialist in 
that language.  Lincom Europa already publishes such 
things and a sketch of Mandan by Mauricio has already 
appeared with one on Chiwere by Louanna and Jill 
contracted.  My Quapaw sketch is now published in 
Heather Hardy's Southeastern langs. volume and David 
and Allan's Lakota sketch is available in HNAI. 
Carolyn's Osage Grammar and Randy's Crow Grammar have 
appeared or will soon appear.  I don't think we want to 
duplicate these efforts.

> I'd also encourage publishing this as a book, rather 
> than electronically. Personally, I believe this could 
> be the kind of publication that many people, not just 
> Siouanists, could profit from and would enjoy 
> reading.

That's fine with me.  Jus' don't ask me for 
"photo-ready copy".  Life's too short.

> I also think that the "social" version of this 
> workshop shouldn't be the next SCLC, simply because 
> the methodological approach we need here is too 
> different from what happens at a normal SCLC, where 
> everybody tells their story, and that's it. We'd have 
> to interact in a much more intense and structured 
> way.

I'm not sure those issues really bear on what we call 
the meeting or where we hold it.

> What about the people at such an SCLC who do not want 
> to participate in the project? They will inevitably 
> feel left out.

I believe we already talked about that too.  It 
shouldn't be a problem at all.  But if people do feel 
strongly about where and when we meet, then let's hear 
their reasoning directly.  Logistical issues no less 
real than the academic issues that will arise, and I'm 
sure we all want everybody to be happy with time and 
venue if at all possible.  And I think consideration 
for our British and European colleagues is important to 
all of us.  Being happily retired now I can go 
anywhere, anytime!

Hey, how about meeting halfway -- like in Bermuda.  Or 
Iceland.  Or maybe in Rankin Inlet on Hudson's Bay?

Bob