Outreach

In Fall 2017, UA Department of Linguistics visited Sonoran Science Academy

Visit to Sonoran Science Academy, September 11, 2017

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Natasha Warner
• Sandiway Fong
• Diana Archangeli
• Noah Nelson
• Isabel McKay
• Rachel Brown

Visit to Desert High School, November 30th, 2017

• Mohammed Al-Sammak

In Fall 2016, UA Department of Linguistics visited BASIS North, City High School and TOCC

Visit to Basis High School North, October 31, 2016.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Nick Kloehn
• Colleen Patton

Visit to City High School, Nov. 9, 2016

• Mohammed Al-Sammak

UA Department of Linguistics visited Sonoran Science Academy

Visit to Sonoran Sceince Academy

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Natasha Warner
• Dr. Sandiway Fong
• Dr. Michael Hammond
• Noah Nelson
• Isabel McKay
• Rachel Brown

In Fall 2015, UA Department of Linguistics visited BASIS Oro Valley, Ha:san Preparatory & Leadership School, Paulo Freire Freedom School, University High School and Tohono O'odham Community College.

Visit to Basis High School in Oro Valley, February 9, 2015.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Tyler Peterson
• Mohammed Al-Sammak
• Elly Zimmer
• Megan Figueroa
• Rachel Brown
• Leah Rice
• Noah Nelson
• Louise St. Amour

On February 9th, members of the UA Linguistics Department spent the day at Basis High School in Oro Valley. Those who participated visited various foreign language classrooms throughout the day to share their love of the scientific study of language. 

Visit to Paulo Freire Freedom School, February 16, 2015.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Janet Nicol
• Louise St. Amour
• Leah Rice

On February 16th, members of the UA Linguistics Department spent the day at Paulo Freire Freedom School. Dr. Nicol and Ms. Rice and Ms. St. Amour shared their love of language by introducing middle schoolers to the idea of studying language scientifically.

Visit to Ha:san Preparatory & Leadership School, March 11, 2015.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Stacey I Oberly
• Dr. Amy V Fountain
• Noah Richard Nelson
• Rachel Dawn Brown
• Elly Jane Zimmer
• Mohammed Al-Sammak

On March 11th, members of the UA Linguistics Department spent the day at Ha:san Preparatory and Leadership School. Ha:san Preparatory & Leadership School is a community-based high school for Native youth. A number of topics were covered by the visiting linguists, including mini lesson in Southern Ute, Arabic, language and culture, and Japanese phonotactics. Students were able to learn about the Native American languages and culture. UA Department of Linguistics realizes the importance of reaching out to schools that serve Native communities.

Visit to University High School, April 6, 2015.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Tyler Peterson
• Noah Nelson

On April 6th, members of the UA Linguistics Department visited University High School to share about their love for language, science, and community. Mr. Nelson helped introduce the young audience to what it means to study language scientifically, while Dr. Peterson shared his own research and how working on language documentation allows the linguist to engage with communities and individuals.

Visit to Tohono O’odham Community College, April 14, 2015.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Amy Fountain
• Joseph Dupris
• Elly Zimmer
• Megan Figueroa
• Noah Nelson

On April 14th, members of the UA Linguistics Department visited Tohono O'odham Community College on the Tohono O'odham reservation to share the scientific study of language and the many programs offered at the University of Arizona, including the Linguistics BA and American Indian Language Development Institute summer workshops.

In Fall 2015, UA Department of Linguistics visited BASIS Oro Valley, Ha:san Preparatory & Leadership School, Paulo Freire Freedom School, University High School and Tohono O'odham Community College.

Visit to Basis High School in Oro Valley, February 9, 2015.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Tyler Peterson
• Mohammed Al-Sammak
• Elly Zimmer
• Megan Figueroa
• Rachel Brown
• Leah Rice
• Noah Nelson
• Louise St. Amour

On February 9th, members of the UA Linguistics Department spent the day at Basis High School in Oro Valley. Those who participated visited various foreign language classrooms throughout the day to share their love of the scientific study of language. 

Visit to Paulo Freire Freedom School, February 16, 2015.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Janet Nicol
• Louise St. Amour
• Leah Rice

On February 16th, members of the UA Linguistics Department spent the day at Paulo Freire Freedom School. Dr. Nicol and Ms. Rice and Ms. St. Amour shared their love of language by introducing middle schoolers to the idea of studying language scientifically.

Visit to Ha:san Preparatory & Leadership School, March 11, 2015.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Stacey I Oberly
• Dr. Amy V Fountain
• Noah Richard Nelson
• Rachel Dawn Brown
• Elly Jane Zimmer
• Mohammed Al-Sammak

On March 11th, members of the UA Linguistics Department spent the day at Ha:san Preparatory and Leadership School. Ha:san Preparatory & Leadership School is a community-based high school for Native youth. A number of topics were covered by the visiting linguists, including mini lesson in Southern Ute, Arabic, language and culture, and Japanese phonotactics. Students were able to learn about the Native American languages and culture. UA Department of Linguistics realizes the importance of reaching out to schools that serve Native communities.

Visit to University High School, April 6, 2015.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Tyler Peterson
• Noah Nelson

On April 6th, members of the UA Linguistics Department visited University High School to share about their love for language, science, and community. Mr. Nelson helped introduce the young audience to what it means to study language scientifically, while Dr. Peterson shared his own research and how working on language documentation allows the linguist to engage with communities and individuals.

Visit to Tohono O’odham Community College, April 14, 2015.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Amy Fountain
• Joseph Dupris
• Elly Zimmer
• Megan Figueroa
• Noah Nelson

On April 14th, members of the UA Linguistics Department visited Tohono O'odham Community College on the Tohono O'odham reservation to share the scientific study of language and the many programs offered at the University of Arizona, including the Linguistics BA and American Indian Language Development Institute summer workshops.

In Spring 2015, UA Department of Linguistics visited BASIS Oro Valley, Ha:san Preparatory & Leadership School, Paulo Freire Freedom School, University High School and Tohono O'odham Community College.

Visit to Basis High School in Oro Valley, February 9, 2015.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Tyler Peterson
• Mohammed Al-Sammak
• Elly Zimmer
• Megan Figueroa
• Rachel Brown
• Leah Rice
• Noah Nelson
• Louise St. Amour

On February 9th, members of the UA Linguistics Department spent the day at Basis High School in Oro Valley. Those who participated visited various foreign language classrooms throughout the day to share their love of the scientific study of language. 

Visit to Paulo Freire Freedom School, February 16, 2015.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Janet Nicol
• Louise St. Amour
• Leah Rice

On February 16th, members of the UA Linguistics Department spent the day at Paulo Freire Freedom School. Dr. Nicol and Ms. Rice and Ms. St. Amour shared their love of language by introducing middle schoolers to the idea of studying language scientifically.

Visit to Ha:san Preparatory & Leadership School, March 11, 2015.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Stacey I Oberly
• Dr. Amy V Fountain
• Noah Richard Nelson
• Rachel Dawn Brown
• Elly Jane Zimmer
• Mohammed Al-Sammak

On March 11th, members of the UA Linguistics Department spent the day at Ha:san Preparatory and Leadership School. Ha:san Preparatory & Leadership School is a community-based high school for Native youth. A number of topics were covered by the visiting linguists, including mini lesson in Southern Ute, Arabic, language and culture, and Japanese phonotactics. Students were able to learn about the Native American languages and culture. UA Department of Linguistics realizes the importance of reaching out to schools that serve Native communities.

Visit to University High School, April 6, 2015.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Tyler Peterson
• Noah Nelson

On April 6th, members of the UA Linguistics Department visited University High School to share about their love for language, science, and community. Mr. Nelson helped introduce the young audience to what it means to study language scientifically, while Dr. Peterson shared his own research and how working on language documentation allows the linguist to engage with communities and individuals.

Visit to Tohono O’odham Community College, April 14, 2015.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Amy Fountain
• Joseph Dupris
• Elly Zimmer
• Megan Figueroa
• Noah Nelson

On April 14th, members of the UA Linguistics Department visited Tohono O'odham Community College on the Tohono O'odham reservation to share the scientific study of language and the many programs offered at the University of Arizona, including the Linguistics BA and American Indian Language Development Institute summer workshops.

In Fall 2013 and Spring 2014, UA Department of Linguistics visited Tohono O'odham Community College, University High School, Paulo Freire Freedom School, and BASIS Oro Valley.

Visit to Tohono O’odham Community College, November 20, 2013.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Ofelia Zepeda
• Dr. Stacey Oberly
• Dr. Tyler Peterson
• Dr. Natasha Warner
• Elly Zimmer
• Mary-Caitlyn Valentinsson
• Keisha Josephs

On November 20^th members of the UA Linguistics Department spent a half-day at Tohono O'odham Community College in Sells. Those who presented on an introduction to linguistics, the various fields of Native American languages and linguistics, the varieties of English, and language development with babies. The presenters also shared their love of the scientific study of language to the Tohono O’odham students. 

Visit to University High School, November 22, 2013.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Mike Hammond
• Dr. Amy Fountain
• Dr. Cecile McKee
• Elly Zimmer
• Catherine Huang
• Dane Bell
• Kristen Howe
• Margarita Beltran

On November 22^nd, members of the UA Linguistics Department spent the day at University High School. Those who participated visited various foreign language, English, science, and psychology classrooms throughout the day to share their love of the scientific study of language. 

Visit to Basis High School in Oro Valley, April 4, 2014.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Tyler Peterson
• Dr. Stacey Oberly
• Dane Bell
• Elly Zimmer
• Kristen Howe
• Jaime Parchment

On April 4^th, members of the UA Linguistics Department spent the day at Basis High School in Oro Valley. Those who participated visited various English classes of 7^th and 8^th. Students were able to learn about baby babble, the Southern Ute American Indian language, computational linguistics, language development and much more! The presenters also shared their love of the scientific study of language. 

Visit to Paulo Freire Freedom School, April 17, 2014.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Amy Fountain
• Dr. Natasha Warner
• Dane Bell
• Noah Nelson
• Mohammed Al-Sammak

On April 17^th, members of the UA Linguistics Department spent the day at Paulo Freire Freedom School. The middle schoolers were able to learn about baby babble, the Tohono O’odham and Mutsun American Indian languages, Arabic, interpreting ancient hieroglyphs, and the rapid extinction of languages around the world.

In Spring 2013, UA Department of Linguistics visited University High School BASIS Oro Valley and University High School.

Visit to Basis High School in Oro Valley, March 25, 2013.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Diana Archangeli
• Dr. Dick Demers
• Dane Bell
• Elly Zimmer
• Mary-Caitlyn Valentinsson
• Maureen Hoffmann

On March 25^th, members of the UA Linguistics Department spent the day at Basis High School in Oro Valley. Those who participated visited various classrooms including AP Psychology, 8^th grade English, AP Literature, 7^th grade Foreign Language, 8^th grade Foreign Language, and 10^th grade Spanish. The presenters were able to share their love of the scientific study of language to the BASIS students.

Visit to University High School, April 4, 2013.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Amy Fountain
• Dr. Natasha Warner
• Alex Trueman
• Elly Zimmer
• Hyun-Kyoung Jung

On April 4^th, members of the UA Linguistics Department spent the day at University High School. Those who participated visited AP English classes to share their love of the scientific study of language. 

Visit to University High School, April 5, 2013.

The following linguists participated in this school visit

• Dr. Mike Hammond
• Dane Bell
• Julia Fisher
• Elly Zimmer Jaime Parchment

On April 5^th, members of the UA Linguistics Department spent the day at University High School. Those who participated visited AP Psychology classes to share their love of the scientific study of language.

• The Tucson Festival of Books is an annual two-day literacy-themed festival that attracts over 100,000 visitors a year. Our department has participated in the festival since 2013.
• Tucson Meet Yourself is an annual cultural festival in downtown Tucson. Our department has participated in the festival since 2013.
• USA Science and Engineering Festival is the largest national science festival. It reaches over 650,000 people. Our department participated in the 2014 festival in Washington D.C.. Graduate student volunteers included linguists from the University of Maryland and Georgetown.
• AAAS Family Science Days  presents interactive science exhibits to K-12 children and their families as a part of a global science gathering. Our department participated in the 2015 festival in San Jose, California. Graduate student volunteers included linguists from Stanford.

How-to Videos

Syntactic Ambiguity Activity: Learn how to do our activity on syntactic ambiguity.

Speech Analysis Activity: Learn how to do our activity on speech analysis.

Language Maps

Langscape: Interactive language map with additional resources (University of Maryland)

Ethnologue: Languages of the world map

Modern Language Association: Languages of the United States map

Audio files of languages and accents

Omniglot: Audio files of phrases in many languages and examples of different writing scripts

Speech Accent Archive: Audio files of different accents of English

Phonetics resources

PRAAT: Free software for analyzing speech

Interactive chart of the International Phonetic Alphabet

Interactive vocal tract (University of Iowa)

Favorite videos

Vocal cords of four singers

MRI scan of a beatboxer

MRI scan of an opera singer

Xhosa tongue twister

Literature on Scientific Outreach   

Fenichel, M. and Schweingruber, H.A. (2010). Surrounded by science: Learning science in informal environments. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

Bell, P., Lewenstein, B., Shouse, A, and Feder, M. (2009). Learning Science in Informal Environments: People, Places, and Pursuits. National Academies Press.

Heath, C. and Heath, D. (2007). Made to stick: Why some ideas survive and others die. New York, NY: Random House.

McKee, C., Zimmer, E., and Huang, H. (Jan 9, 2015). Linguistics at Festivals. Symposium Poster and Panel Discussion (Linguistics for Everyone: Tools and Tips for Do-It-Yourself-Ers). Linguistics Society of America Annual Meeting.

Zimmer, E., Huang, H., and McKee, C. (Nov 7, 2014). Who’s got the banana?. Symposium Poster (Linguistics for Everyone: Engaging a broader public for the scientific study of language acquisition). Boston University Conference on Language Development.

• Camp SOLA (Science of Language at Arizona)

• Dates: June 20-24

• Time: 8:30am-3:00pm

• Price: $295 and allow overnight options

• Grades: 7-9 graders and 10-12 graders

All human communities have language - and our language is central to our lives.  We use language not only to communicate with each other, we use it in our dreams, in our art, and some have even argued that language is the stuff of thought itself.  This camp introduces concepts and methods in linguistics - the scientific study of language. In linguistics, we study language in order to understand the physical, neurological and psychological properties of human language. Students in the camp will develop analytical skills, learn about foreign languages and the scientific method, explore brain imaging and speech technology, improve SAT vocabulary skills, and explore the linguistic and cultural history of Arizona.

Both camps will explore phonology and phonetics (the sounds we make), languages of Arizona, syntax and morphology (how do we put words together?) and more! Check out the flyers for more detail on what will be covered in each program.

The Science of Language

DEPARTMENT OF LINGUISTICS

JUNE 1-5 (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)

Language is an integral part of life. In linguistics, we study language scientifically in order to understand the physical, cognitive, neurological and psychological properties of human language. In this camp, students will learn about the various structures and properties of language, including sounds, words, sentences, the computational applications of these properties, and more!  Students will develop analytical skills, learn about the scientific method and hypothesis testing, brain imaging, improve SAT vocabulary skills by studying the history and structure of key English vocabulary, and also discover the rich linguistic and cultural history of Arizona.

The 2015 Science of Language Summer Camp covered:

• Sound patterns
• Brain imaging
• Word structure and meaning
• Exploring the languages of Arizona
• Phrases, sentences, and language learning
• Computational Linguistics through CSI Linguistics: solving crime with language

Testimonials About Activities

• "Thank you for teaching the linguistics camp. It was very fun, and I learned a lot across a wide span of topics. I particularly enjoyed discussing history and the evolution and types of grammar -- though I enjoyed all of it."
• "Seeing the MRI, using LingSleuth, figuring out Hiaki grammar, and other activities were fun!"
• "I found the topics of language families, plurality, and language acquisition the most interesting, though anything involving historical or psychological linguistics was fascinating."
• "Some of my favorite activities were the IPA, endangered languages, language history, and language learning by children."
• "I found language and brain mapping specifically interesting."
• "I thought that using all of the different computer programs (PRATT and MRICRON) were fun and really helped to put things in perspective."
• "I liked the scientific and computer oriented part of this camp."

Recommendations

• "I would recommend this camp to a friend that likes languages."
• "This camp taught me so much and I've enjoyed it immensely."
• "I would absolutely recommend this camp, it would interest my friends."
• "I would recommend this camp!"

Fall 2012 and Fall 2014 OLLI

Course Description:

Language is perhaps the most fundamental of human abilities - it forms our thoughts, expresses our feelings, and creates our relationships with other people.  This course explores the ways in which the study of human language (linguistics) help us to better understand the nature of human beings - our brains, our minds, and our social structures.  We look at a wide range of topics - from the ways in which language is organized in the human brain, to the ways in which we acquire, produce and perceive language, to the ways in which our beliefs and opinions about our languages and the languages of others can shape the history and development of societies all around the world.