Comments on: Watj-ja http://www.matjjin-nehen.com/2006/10/30/watj-ja/ a linguist without a language Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:47:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Thesis « Hosstuff http://www.matjjin-nehen.com/2006/10/30/watj-ja/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Thesis « Hosstuff Sat, 18 Nov 2006 03:30:02 +0000 http://www.matjjin-nehen.com/2006/10/30/watj-ja/#comment-14 [...] In a post two weeks ago, I implied that the thesis I produced was not quite up to scratch and that I was simply happy to see the end of it. [...] [...] In a post two weeks ago, I implied that the thesis I produced was not quite up to scratch and that I was simply happy to see the end of it. [...]

]]> By: Jaŋari http://www.matjjin-nehen.com/2006/10/30/watj-ja/comment-page-1/#comment-13 Jaŋari Fri, 03 Nov 2006 06:43:30 +0000 http://www.matjjin-nehen.com/2006/10/30/watj-ja/#comment-13 You raise an interesting point, Bulanjdjan. As you guessed, I used the term 'language' to keep a semblance of anonymity about the language, but I hadn't given any thought to the ramifications of using it as shorthand for 'the language that my thesis is on'. I'm glad you pointed it out. Certainly though, to Australianist linguists and Kriol speakers alike, 'langguj'/'langgwij'/'language' (whatever) has a specific referent, though it depends on the context; who is speaking, what country (land) you are in, etc. I think the 'language' notion is a useful concept; I certainly use it frequently. I think it's a good Australian version of the Papuan 'Tok Pisin' versus 'Tok Pleis' dichotomy. As for capitalising it, well, I'm undecided. Maybe a good option would be to use Kriol spelling like, 'langguj' or 'langgwij', to reference the fact that it doesn't mean 'language' in the English sense. Either way, I've since abandoned the anonymity thing, so I'll mostly say 'in Wagiman'. You raise an interesting point, Bulanjdjan.
As you guessed, I used the term ‘language’ to keep a semblance of anonymity about the language, but I hadn’t given any thought to the ramifications of using it as shorthand for ‘the language that my thesis is on’. I’m glad you pointed it out.
Certainly though, to Australianist linguists and Kriol speakers alike, ‘langguj’/'langgwij’/'language’ (whatever) has a specific referent, though it depends on the context; who is speaking, what country (land) you are in, etc.
I think the ‘language’ notion is a useful concept; I certainly use it frequently. I think it’s a good Australian version of the Papuan ‘Tok Pisin’ versus ‘Tok Pleis’ dichotomy.
As for capitalising it, well, I’m undecided. Maybe a good option would be to use Kriol spelling like, ‘langguj’ or ‘langgwij’, to reference the fact that it doesn’t mean ‘language’ in the English sense.
Either way, I’ve since abandoned the anonymity thing, so I’ll mostly say ‘in Wagiman’.

]]> By: bulanjdjan http://www.matjjin-nehen.com/2006/10/30/watj-ja/comment-page-1/#comment-12 bulanjdjan Fri, 03 Nov 2006 02:33:21 +0000 http://www.matjjin-nehen.com/2006/10/30/watj-ja/#comment-12 'As they say in language, watj-ja!' I wonder what the impact is of linguists using the colloquial practice of referring to a particular Aboriginal language with 'language'. Obviously (to me, and others), aidhoss refers to a particular language, no doubt the one he's just written his thesis on. He may even have reasons to do with preserving anonymity for doing so. 'language' becomes a deictic term, but it also replaces a proper noun, i.e. the name of the language. And perhaps (?) could reinforce conventional notions of there only being one Aboriginal language? I've been thinking lately that in writing at least, that there may be reason for spelling the deictic use of 'language' with a capital 'L'. I'm not being critical, just curious. ‘As they say in language, watj-ja!’

I wonder what the impact is of linguists using the colloquial practice of referring to a particular Aboriginal language with ‘language’.

Obviously (to me, and others), aidhoss refers to a particular language, no doubt the one he’s just written his thesis on. He may even have reasons to do with preserving anonymity for doing so.

‘language’ becomes a deictic term, but it also replaces a proper noun, i.e. the name of the language. And perhaps (?) could reinforce conventional notions of there only being one Aboriginal language?

I’ve been thinking lately that in writing at least, that there may be reason for spelling the deictic use of ‘language’ with a capital ‘L’.

I’m not being critical, just curious.

]]> By: Claire http://www.matjjin-nehen.com/2006/10/30/watj-ja/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Claire Wed, 01 Nov 2006 01:24:35 +0000 http://www.matjjin-nehen.com/2006/10/30/watj-ja/#comment-11 He right, I'll wait. He right, I’ll wait.

]]> By: Jaŋari http://www.matjjin-nehen.com/2006/10/30/watj-ja/comment-page-1/#comment-10 Jaŋari Tue, 31 Oct 2006 22:43:32 +0000 http://www.matjjin-nehen.com/2006/10/30/watj-ja/#comment-10 Thanks everyone. Yes Bulanjdjan, being in the field in August meant I had to do all my coursework in first semester. That really turned out well. Claire, a revised version (with any inaccuracies smoothed out) will be published online in a couple of weeks. But, if you'd like a copy before then I'd be happy to send you one. Thanks everyone.

Yes Bulanjdjan, being in the field in August meant I had to do all my coursework in first semester. That really turned out well.

Claire, a revised version (with any inaccuracies smoothed out) will be published online in a couple of weeks. But, if you’d like a copy before then I’d be happy to send you one.

]]> By: Claire http://www.matjjin-nehen.com/2006/10/30/watj-ja/comment-page-1/#comment-9 Claire Tue, 31 Oct 2006 12:56:47 +0000 http://www.matjjin-nehen.com/2006/10/30/watj-ja/#comment-9 Congratulations! Could I have a copy of your thesis? Congratulations! Could I have a copy of your thesis?

]]> By: bulanjdjan http://www.matjjin-nehen.com/2006/10/30/watj-ja/comment-page-1/#comment-8 bulanjdjan Tue, 31 Oct 2006 06:25:55 +0000 http://www.matjjin-nehen.com/2006/10/30/watj-ja/#comment-8 Congratulations! Have you finished for the year, or do you have to pick yourself up and finish off coursework too? Well done, though. Congratulations! Have you finished for the year, or do you have to pick yourself up and finish off coursework too? Well done, though.

]]> By: Joe http://www.matjjin-nehen.com/2006/10/30/watj-ja/comment-page-1/#comment-7 Joe Tue, 31 Oct 2006 04:54:02 +0000 http://www.matjjin-nehen.com/2006/10/30/watj-ja/#comment-7 Good on you Jaŋari, I dare say a few quiet ales would be in store, have one for me. Jungurra. Good on you Jaŋari, I dare say a few quiet ales would be in store, have one for me. Jungurra.

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