John Maurice Hohlfeld Papers
1950-1972
(0.5 linear feet)

Ms. Coll. 46

© American Philosophical Society
105 South Fifth Street * Philadelphia, PA 19106-3386
 American Philosophical Society 105 South Fifth Street Philadelphia, PA 19106-3386
Table of contents Abstract
The educator and linguist John Maurice Hohlfeld received his doctorate in education at the University of Pennsylvania in 1950 for a dissertation focused on the teaching of foreign languages. Throughout his career as professor of linguistics at the Kennedy School of Missions at the Hartford Theological Seminary, Hohlfeld maintained an interest in the teaching of languages, and during the 1960s, he developed an interest in the linguistics of jokes and humor.

The Hohlfeld Papers consist of a small assemblage of materials related to the linguistic interests and teaching of John Maurice Hohlfeld. The most valuable materials in the collection are an assortment of student papers regarding the pedagogical materials used in teaching missionaries, including materials on three African languages, Fulani, Senoufo, and Bemba, as well as Machiguenga and Asmat. The collection also includes outlines and background materials for two works by Hohlfeld that never appeared in print, "Linguistic Structure of Jokes" and "Introduction to Applied Linguistics." The former consists of numerous jokes and comics culled by Hohlfeld from newspapers and the popular media for their linguistic implications.
Background note
The educator and linguist John Maurice Hohlfeld received his doctorate in education at the University of Pennsylvania in 1950 for a dissertation focused on the teaching of foreign languages. Throughout his career as professor of linguistics at the Kennedy School of Missions at the Hartford Theological Seminary and at the University of Hartford, Hohlfeld maintained an interest in applied linguistics and the teaching of languages, and during the 1960s, he developed an interest in the linguistics of jokes and humor.


Scope and content
The Hohlfeld Papers consist of a small assemblage of materials related to the linguistic interests and teaching of John Maurice Hohlfeld. The most valuable materials in the collection are an assortment of student papers regarding the pedagogical materials used in teaching missionaries, primarily in West Africa. These include materials on three African languages, Fulani, Senoufo, and Bemba, as well as Machiguenga (Peru) and Asmat (New Guinea).

The collection also includes outlines and background materials for two works by Hohlfeld that never appeared in print, "Linguistic Structure of Jokes" and "Introduction to Applied Linguistics." The former consists of numerous jokes and comics culled by Hohlfeld from newspapers and the popular media for their linguistic implications.

The folders are arranged alphabetically, using the titles supplied by Hohlfeld.

Administrative information
Restrictions
None.

Provenance
Gift of Emma S. Hohlfeld, 1987 (accn no. 1987-39ms).

Preferred citation
Cite as: John Maurice Hohlfeld Papers, American Philosophical Society.

Processing information
Recatalogued by rsc, 2003.

Added entries
Subjects
  • Asmat language
  • Bemba language
  • English language--Study and teaching--Foreign speakers
  • Fulani language
  • Hartford Theological Seminary
  • Language and languages--Study and teaching
  • Linguistics--United States
  • Machiguenga language
  • Senoufo language
  • Structural linguistics
  • Wit and humor

    • Contributors
  • Hohlfeld, John Maurice, 1909-1973

    • Genre terms
  • Syllabi

    		•
    Contact information
    American Philosophical Society
    105 South Fifth Street
    Philadelphia, PA 19106-3386
    [http://www.amphilsoc.org/]

    ©2002


    Detailed inventory

    		 Braille ("Linguistics -- hearing, (Braille), (lip reading), listening") 1950-1972


    		Comics, humor, jokes 1954-1970


    		Clippings from newspapers and magazines.

    		Communication seminar 1953-1969


    		Notes regarding seminar in communication arts and intro. to structural linguistics.

    		Etymology 1954-1972 2 folders

    		Hohlfeld, John Maurice. An experiment employing two methods of teaching Spanish to College Freshmen 1950 2 copies

    		Dissertation, University of Pennsylvania.

    		Introduction to Applied Linguistics (rough draft) n.d.


    		Jokes (card file) n.d.


    		Transcribed jokes of uncertain provenance.

    		Language games 1956-1972


    		Language learning techniques 1968-1969


    		Linguistic assistance to foreign students 1951-1952, 1970


    		Linguistic Structure of Jokes (newspaper clippings) 1962-1969


    		Linguistic Structure of Jokes (rough draft) n.d.


    		Pedagogical materials -- Miscellaneous 1960-1969


    		Pedagogical materials -- Student papers 1961-1967


    		Anderson, Fred R..
    Some factors relevant to the writing of a pedagogical grammar of Bemba     		1962


    		Bothel, Donald F..
    A critique of the lesson book of the Language School Mission Baptiste, Korhogo, Cote d'Ivoire     		1961


    		Kraft, Charles.
    An evaluation of my Hausa pedagogical materials     		1961


    		Mainhood, Dorothy.
    Language learning techniques     		1967


    		Mainhood, Dorothy.
    Pedagogical materials     		1967


    		Orjala, Paul R..
    A critique of An Introduction to Haitian Creole    		 1962


    		Roessler, Calvin.
    Asmat language pedagogical materials     		n.d.


    		Rogers, Miriam E..
    A statement of desired additional work in language learning materials     		1967


    		Snell, Betty A..
    Palatalized consonants and subject prefixes in Machiguenga     		1963


    		Stennes, Leslie H..
    A sample lesson of pedagogical materials in Fulani     		1961


    		Literacy seminar 1952


    		Notes regarding seminar in adult literacy at Kennedy School of Missions, Hartford Seminary Foundation.

    		Special projects in linguistics (Lin. 840) 1969-1971


    		Notes regarding seminar at Kennedy School of Missions, Hartford Seminary Foundation, including two student papers.