Linguistics Seminar: Debra McDougall
Solomon Islands
Th UON linguistics seminar series presents Dr Debra McDougall, who will present her paper, 'Grammar Revolutions: Transformative Knowledge in the Soloman Islands.'
Abstract
After decades neglecting grammar in schools, some Western educators are calling for a grammar revolution. The revolution may be happening in some unexpected places. In this paper, I discuss building interest in grammar in a rural Western Solomon Islands society. Vernacular language instruction for adults began in the context of a Bible translation project in the late 1990s. Since then, the Kulu Language Institute has blossomed into a thriving grassroots institution teaching vernacular, English, and Greek and Hebrew grammar on Ranongga Island and in the capital city Honiara. Villagers, townspeople, primary school dropouts, university graduates — a surprising range of people have passionately embraced the study of grammar. In this paper, I suggest that grammar is seen not only seen as a tool for practical mastery of English, but also as a form of knowledge that cuts across racialised domains, translocal hierarchies, and social class distinctions.
Debra McDougall is a Senior Lecturer in Anthropology and Sociology at the University of Western Australia. She is the author of Engaging with Strangers: Love and Violence in the Rural Solomon Islands (Berghahn Books, 2016), which is based long-term ethnographic research on the island of Ranongga in the western Solomon Islands. She also co-edited Christian Politics in Oceania (Berghahn Books, 2013) with Matt Tomlinson. She is planning a new research project focused on rural mobility, socio-economic inequality, and education in Melanesia.
This is a free event, which will be followed by informal drinks + nibbles.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Dr Michael Franjieh on +61 2 4921 6031.
Find out more
- About the ELDTA linguistics research program
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.