Overview
In 1879, a French teenager was rifling through his late grandfather’s papers when he found an anonymous manuscript recording a long-lost language called Taensa. Our young linguist-protagonist, Jean Parisot, revealed his discovery to the nascent academic community of linguists and was widely praised. At least, that is Parisot’s side of the story. It was not long until some linguists raised their suspicions. Academic spats ensued; Parisot cloistered himself in a seminary. This presentation tells the tale of the ‘Taensa trick’ and provides an overview of the language’s grammar. New evidence will be presented conclusively proving the grammar a hoax. Parisot’s motives as a hoaxer are examined, perhaps offering him some redemption. Parisot’s caper only fooled linguists briefly but has enduring significance in the history of linguistics: it constitutes, probably, the field’s first documented academic hoax.
Speaker
Dr Oliver Mayeux completed his PhD in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics at the University of Cambridge in 2019 and is currently a Junior Research Fellow at Trinity College. He is currently working on a monograph describing the life, death and rebirth of Louisiana Creole, a language formed during the Transatlantic Slave Trade which today is critically endangered.
Details
This is a hybrid event, which will take place in-person in the Gatsby Room (Chancellor's Centre) and also on Zoom.
If you would like to attend online, please register for the Zoom link.
Refreshments will be available for the in-person audience.
The Humanities Society organises regular talks spanning a wide range of topics. Every Tuesday during term time.
Access
This event will take place in Gatsby Room on the first floor of the Chancellor's Centre. It has step-free access with a lift and there is an accessible toilet located each floor of the building.
For more details please view our AccessAble guide.