ANT 393 Stross W 7-10 in EPS 1.128

SPEECH PLAY AND VERBAL ART

Office EPS 2.204 office hours MW 12-1

Spring 2010

http://www.utexas.edu/courses/stross/ant393_files/ant393d.htm

This course is a graduate seminar concerning speech play and verbal art within a framework of anthropological study of language.

No prior training in linguistics is assumed, presupposed, or required.

REQUIREMENTS

1) Class preparation and appropriate class participation (including reading articles, chapters, and or books; and being class facilitator for 1 or more class assignment discussions, depending on the size of the class)

2) Three short papers based on projects assigned during the semester, on the syllabus (up to 5 pages each)

3) A research proposal dealing in some manner with linguistic anthropology (up to 10 pages); to be presented orally as well during final weeks of the semester if time allows. Some general suggestions for a research grant proposal can be found here.

TEXTBOOKS

J. Sherzer 20002 Speech Play and Verbal Art. Univ of Texas Press. ISBN 0-292-77769-8 (pbk)

ARTICLES

Sanches, Mary, and Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett. 1976. “Children's Traditional Speech Play and Child Language.” In: Speech Play: Research and Resources for Studying Linguistic Creativity, B. Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, ed., Philadelphia: U. of Pennsylvania Press, pp. 65-110

Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, Barbara, and Joel Sherzer. 1976. “Introduction.” In: Speech Play: Research and Resources for Studying Linguistic Creativity, B. Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, ed., Philadelphia : U. of Pennsylvania Press, pp. 1-16.

Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, Barbara, ed. 1976. Speech Play: Research and Resources for Studying Linguistic Creativity. Philadelphia: U. of Pennsylvania Press.

R. Bauman and J. Sherzer (eds.), Explorations In The Ethnography of

Speaking (B&S)

P. Farb Word Play

J. Sherzer, Kuna Ways of Speaking.

Background Reading

N. Bonvillain Language, Culture and Communication [any edition – used copy can be gotten for reasonable price at Amazon, Half.com, or Half Price books] (required)

Assigned readings can be found in the PCL library, and most are on reserve.

OUTLINE OF COURSE TOPICS AND READING ASSIGNMENTS

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

Week 12

Week 13

Week 14

Week 15

SPEECH PLAY AND VERBAL ART

Definitions

Functions

Forms

class discussion: a) graffiti/latrinalia b) riddles c) proverbs (Chamula, other);

a) speech games (e.g. pig latin); b) cosmology and history in myth and legend.

c) humor in language d) gossip e) proverbs, refranes & dichos ;

f) propaganda 1 (albert&shalom, ahmed)

g.) lies and disinformation h) word play

Homework read (due weeks 9,10): 1) Bonvillain 6, 11

2) Internet – J. Hill's article on Mock Spanish [Hill slides]

3) Internet - W. Labov's article on "Academic Ignorance"

Extra reading for those so inclined: Farb, 83-156; .Gossen "To speak with a

heated heart". Kirschenblatt-Gimblett Speech Play.

Cowan "Mazateco whistle speech". Shaul&Furbee - 9, 10 .

Basso "Wise words of the Western Apache"; J. Sherzer "Talking backwards in Cuna..."

SWJA 197O:343-453. J. Sherzer "Strategies in text and context." JAF 92:145-163.

Stross "The language of Zuyua". Dundes "Here I sit". Hymes, Part VI.

Irvine "Formality and informality in communicative events" AA 81:773-79O.

J. MacDowell Children's Riddling; F&B 10. W. Mieder, The Politics of Proverbs.

Week 8 Special Homework project # 3 [occupational jargon / names ]

(due Week 1O)