The plight of a linguist...

From: tschibasch <tschibasch_at_yahoo.com_at_hypermail.org>
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2003 23:08:32 -0000

As many of you know, after leaving SyVox I started tutoring at SMC and
for some tutoring agencies. Then after starting a regular job, I have
tried to scale back the tutoring. It has been difficult, as a lot of
the students get attached! I also got attached.

I promised myself not to take on any more tutoring assignments.

Last week, I got a call from one of the tutoring agencies. A UCLA
Linguistics student needed help. The conversation went something like
this:

"Hello, John. We know you are incredibly busy, but we need a linguist,
and have nobody else." they told me.

"Yes, sorry, I am already overloaded, and -"

"Do you know anything about language of Bambara?" they interjected.

"Hm, yes, it's spoken in Mali. A dialect of the Mande' family. I think
there are also speakers in Burkina Faso..."

(FYI: I have seen this language, but certainly do not speak it.)

"The student needs help with this. Please, could you do help her out!"
 they pleaded, somewhat.

"Sure, what the heck!"

I went in on Monday night and spent a few hours looking at Bambara
syntax. Next week we might be looking at some Aztec languages. I have
to admit, I am looking forward to it. Oh, to be a Linguistics student
again! :-)


John
Received on 2003-04-16 16:08:38