LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 4 : 3 March 2004

Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Associate Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.

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  • E-mail your articles and book-length reports to thirumalai@bethfel.org or send it by regular mail to:
    M. S. Thirumalai
    6820 Auto Club Road, Suite C
    Bloomington, MN 55438 USA.
  • Contributors from South Asia may send their articles to
    B. Mallikarjun,
    Central Institute of Indian Languages,
    Manasagangotri,
    Mysore 570006, India     or e-mail to mallik_ciil@hotmail.com.

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Copyright © 2001
M. S. Thirumalai
Language In India is a monthly online journal devoted to the study of the languages spoken in the Indian sub-continent. We wish to present the scholarly research findings on these languages in popular language. Our focus is on language use in mass media, education and administration, speech and hearing, sociolinguistic and political aspects relating to these languages and the society in the Indian subcontinent. We wish to present the linguistic descriptions, interdisciplinary research, and current issues of importance relating to Indian languages. This online journal publishes not only articles, but also book-length reports and studies. We want to be a blessing to Indian languages, praying for "strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow." We sincerely believe that every Indian language deserves our whole-hearted support for growth and that every one can find its place in a mosaic of unity and understanding, serving each other and singing the glory of God.

CONTENTS

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INSTITUTES & DEPARTMENTS OF LINGUISTICS, INDIAN LANGUAGES, SPEECH AND HEARING, AND ENGLISH LITERATURE! SEND YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS TO APPEAR IN THIS PLACE!!

ANNOUNCING
THE TAMIL SUMMER SCHOOL
PONDICHERRY INSTITUTE OF LINGUISTICS AND CULTURE

What is the TSS?

The Tamil Summer School is an intensive six-week course in spoken Tamil organised by the Faculty of Linguistics, Pondicherrry Institute of Linguistics and Culture(PILC), a Govt. of Pondicherry institution known for its research activities and training programmes and workshops.

The TSS is conducted every year in July-August, and its purpose has been enlarged from 2001 to include a new course for beginners and fieldwork activities. The medium of teaching is English as well as Tamil.

The TSS focuses on Spoken Tamil rather than on the classical and written forms being taught in European Universities. Three levels of spoken Tamil courses are offered: Basic, Intermediate and Advanced.

Why Spoken Tamil?

Tamil is an international language spoken in different countries like India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. It shows significant social and regional variations and is known for its diglossic nature, in as much as it possesses distinct written and spoken forms, affecting syntax, lexicon and phonetics.

The TSS aims precisely at filling this important gap in Tamil studies by offering students and scholars a summer programme focusing mainly on spoken Tamil.

The TSS provides an opportunity

  • for scholars to acquire linguistic tools to do field studies in Tamil.
  • for those who are trained in the written form to be able to communicate in Tamilnadu and other Tamil-speaking areas.

The TSS programme will be conducted for six days per week during the period of six weeks (i.e. from 12 July 2004 to 21 August 2004).

Basic level

At the basic level, spoken Tamil is introduced. Drills in pronunciation will be given by experienced professors. Basic vocabulary, grammar and conversational materials will be provided in the second phase. Tamil script and Tamio spelling as well as simple sentences are taught enabling the students to speak and read in Tamil.

Intermediate level

Spoken Tamil is taught with conversational materials throughout the course. Modern Tamil Grammar lessons will be taught stage by stage introducing the structures of Tamil sentences. Students will be given training to read primary level lessons, short stories, and songs. Vocabulary lists will be provided for practice.

Advanced level

Structure of Modern Tamil will be taught to enable the student to comprehend the written Tamil lessons. Short stories, songs, and proverbs will be taught and lessons will be provided for reading and writing. Sample materials from magazines will be supplied for additional practice.

Fieldwork activities

Linked to the above-mentioned courses, the TSS will also include practical training in spoken Tamil in the context of fieldwork with very experienced research assistants.

Lecture series

During the Tamil Summer School reputed scholars will give special lectures on Tamil language society.

NOTE: According to the number of registrants, the background and standard of the participants, the Faculty will adapt the level of the course.

Participants

Basic level

Eligible participants are students or researchers from foreign or Indian universities or institutions, who have not studied Tamil.

Intermediate or advanced level

Eligible participants are students or researchers from foreign or Indian universities or institutions, who have studied written Tamil for at least one year and have a good knowledge of basic grammar.

Students will be divided into two or three classes according to their proficiency in Tamil and according to the number of students registered (about 6 students per class).

Enrolment

Enrolment starts on 1th March, 2004 and registration will be closed on the 30th April, 2004.

For registration, particulars are required in the prescribed form. Please send an e-mail to the Director of the Institute to obtain this form as an e-mail attachment.

Kindly send it in advance to reserve your seat. Preference will be given to research scientists.

Registration fees for 2004 will be Rs. 12,000 (around 250 Euros).

Your stay in Pondicherry

Pondicherry is a small Tamil speaking territory and city, 120 km from Chennai international airport.

It has a very good tourist infrastructure with more than forty hotels and lodges. Cost of living is extremely moderate by European standards. The TSS will try to identify families offering paying-guest accommodation in the town.

For Information Contact:

The Director,
Pondicherry Institute of Linguistics and Culture
112 Kamatchiamman Koil Street
Pondicherry 605 001, India
Tel: 0413-2337117 (Dir) 0413-2332317 (Off)
E.mail: pilc@vsnl.com
Email: pilc@md3.vsnl.net.in