Interested in learning more about Southwest Script, an Iberian language extinct since at least 2500 years ago? Or ancient languages in general? Here’s a discovery in the news that may be of interest to you!

David Crystal, 2008.

This book is on order for Carleton University Library. Watch for it!

The contents include:

The hype about texting
How weird is texting?
What makes texting distinctive?
Why do they do it?
Who texts?
What do they text about?
How do other languages do it?
Why all the fuss?

(Thanks to Nancy Peden for bringing this great books to my attention!)

University Affairs is published by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. It is “Canada’s higher education magatzine”.

In the latest issue (March 2009), an article very relevant to those of us doing research in the social sciences and humanities is available.

As a librarian specializing in resources for the French department at Carleton University, I have found it challenging to get through the language divide that exists between the two research “solitudes”.

The work outlined in this article is a great inspiration. Check it out!

Summary: Our French-speaking colleagues in Quebec are doing “some of the best social science research in the country” but because of the language divide, many English-speaking researchers don’t know about it, let alone are they able to take advantage of it. The same is true for the flipside.

This cannot leave the library but it’s a great resource for looking up unfamiliar linguistic terms.

http://catalogue.library.carleton.ca/record=2510817

Second Language Learning and Identity: Cracking Metaphors in Ideological and Poetic Discourse in the Third Space

“This book is largely about second language learning and identity construction. It is based on a unique hybrid design of case study and autoethnography. In addition, diary study plays an important role in allowing the participants to express themselves in a self-reflective way. The author examines and discusses with the participants of her research, the everyday struggles of Japanese women in Canada who are trying to learn English.”

The library is purchasing this excellent book; watch for it on the shelves soon!

The Internet’s Meeting place for ESL + EFL teachers + students from around the World!

Stuff for Teachers = Ideas For in the Classroom, Job Boards, Forum

Stuff for Students = Help Center, Forum, English Practice Exercises

… and much more! A wealth of information for anyone interested in teaching ESL/EFL or those who are students in this area.

http://www.eslcafe.com/

For those members of the SLALS who may be interested in linguistics work going on in other departments, check out Dr. Eric Henry in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology!

“Eric Henry is a sociocultural and linguistic anthropologist whose research addresses the role of languages in the development of local and global identities.”

What is it? JAANUS is the on-line Dictionary of Japanese Architectural and Art Historical Terminology

Evaluation: The interface is slightly clunky but the content is great. Illustrations of many of the entries are included. Fun to explore!

Tips: On the left navigation bar, click on “J”, scroll down that page. (Note the icons on the far right of the listings indicating where illustrations can be found) Click on the entry for ”jinja”. Read about these Shinto shrines, link to related terms, see the pictures, learn the kanji while learning new vocabulary and pick up some interesting cultural knowledge!

http://www.thelinguists.com/

Links you to the trailer, screening information, info for buying the DVD ($300)…

WATCH IT HERE:

• On Primetime PBS, February 26, 2009, 10pm EST
• At The University of Ottawa, March 3, 2009 (with discussion! – more details to come)

http://carletonlibrarian.wordpress.com/