Society for Linguistic Anthropology Records
1982-1986
(0.5 linear feet)

Ms. Coll. 50

© 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
In 1983, the Society for Linguistic Anthropology was formed as a section of the AAA with the goal of advancing the "study of language in its social and cultural context and to encourage communication of the results of such study." It has published the Journal of Linguistic Anthropology semiannually since 1991, and since 2001 they have given out the Edward Sapir Prize for the book making the most significant contribution to the understanding of language in society.

The Society's records consist of 0.5 linear feet of administrative correspondence, newsletters, and minutes of the executive committee, 1983-1986, representing the formation and earliest years of the Society. The files are arranged chronologically, and then alphabetically.
Background note
During a major reorganization of the American Anthropological Association in 1982, the president of the organization, Dell Hymes, noted that although there were relatively few specialists in linguistic anthropology, the discipline was so central to anthropology that the field should be represented on the Board of Directors, and he argued further that a section devoted to linguistic anthropology would be highly valuable. With the assistance of Victor Golla and Bill Leap, among others, an organizational meeting was held at the annual meeting of the AAA in 1982, that attracted over 100 participants and that resulted in the appointment of an organizing committee for the new society.

In 1983, the Society for Linguistic Anthropology was formed as a section of the AAA with the goal of advancing the "study of language in its social and cultural context and to encourage communication of the results of such study." The first officers included Marianne Mithun (president) and Jane H. Hill (Secretary-Treasurer), both of whom had been instrumental figures in the organizing committee. The SLA has published the Journal of Linguistic Anthropology semiannually since 1991, and since 2001 they have given out the Edward Sapir Prize for the book making the most significant contribution to the understanding of language in society.


Scope and content
The Records of the Society for Linguistic Anthropology consist of 0.5 linear feet of administrative correspondence, newsletters, and minutes of the executive committee, representing the formation and earliest years of the Society. The files are arranged chronologically, and then alphabetically.

Administrative information
Restrictions
None.

Provenance
Gift of the Society for Linguistic Anthropology through Jane H. Hill, 1986.

Preferred citation
Cite as: Society for Linguistic Anthropology Records, American Philosophical Society.

Processing information
Catalogued by rsc, 2003.

Additional information
Related material
The APS also houses the papers of Dell Hymes (Ms. Coll. 55), one of the key figures responsible for organizing the SLA.

Added entries
Subjects
  • Anthropological linguistics--Societies, etc.
  • Anthropology--Societies, etc.
  • Linguistics--Societies, etc.

    • Contributors
  • American Anthropological Association
  • Hill, Jane H.
  • Hymes, Dell H., b. 1927
  • Mithun, Marianne
  • Society for Linguistic Anthropology

    		•
    Contact information
    American Philosophical Society
    105 South Fifth Street
    Philadelphia, PA 19106-3386

    [http://www.amphilsoc.org/]

    ©2002


    Detailed inventory

    		 SLA, Founding materials 1982-1983 40 items

    		Includes correspondence with Jane Hill, Dell Hymes, Marianne Mithun, et al., on formation of the organization, minutes of the Ad Hoc Committee to form the Society, draft by-laws.

    		SLA, Annual meeting 1983 1 item

    		SLA, Membership #1 1983 ca.60 items

    		SLA, Membership #2 1983 ca.60 items

    		SLA, Newsletter 1983 5 items

    		SLA, Annual meeting 1984 11 items

    		SLA, General correspondence 1984 8 items

    		SLA, Membership 1984 24 items

    		SLA, Newsletter 1984 1 item

    		Sapir Centennary 1984 ca.50 items

    		Includes abstracts and proposals for commemorative session.

    		Sapir Centenary 1984 ca.50 items

    		Includes abstracts and proposals for commemorative session.

    		SLA, Annual meeting #1 1985 21 items

    		SLA, Annual meeting #2 1985 9 items

    		SLA, Elections 1985 18 items

    		SLA, Membership 1985 2 items

    		SLA, Newsletter 1985 16 items

    		SLA, Annual meeting #1 1986 21 items

    		SLA, Annual meeting #2 1986 12 items

    		SLA, Elections 1986 23 items

    		SLA, Membership 1986 5 items

    		SLA, Newsletter 1986 25 items