| Contents |
Women in the history of Linguistics: Distant and neglected voices / Wendy Ayres-Bennett and Helena Sanson -- 1. Visible and invisible women in ancient linguistic culture / Anneli Luhtala -- 2. Women and language codification in Italy: Marginalized voices, forgotten contributions / Helena Sanson -- 3. Women as authors, audience, and authorities in the French tradition / Wendy Ayres-Bennett -- 4. The contribution of women to the Spanish linguistic tradition: Four centuries of surviving words / María Luisa Calero Vaquera -- 5. The female contribution to language studies in Portugal / Sónia Coelho, Susana Fontes, and Rolf Kemmler -- 6. Women and the elaboration of a Russian language norm / Sylvie Archaimbault -- 7. Women in the history of German language studies: 'That subtle influence for which women are best suited'? / Nicola McLelland -- 8. The extraordinary and changing role of women in Dutch language history / Marijke van der Wal and Jan Noordegraaf -- 9. Obstacles and opportunities for women linguists in Scandinavia / Tove Bull, Toril Swan, and Carol Henriksen -- 10. British women's roles in the standardization and study of English / Carol Percy -- 11. The female quest for the Celtic tongues of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales / Bernhard Maier -- 12. Early American women's participation in language scholarship / Margaret Thomas -- 13. Women's contributions to early American Indian linguistics / Raina Heaton, Eve Okura Koller, and Lyle Campbell -- 14. Language studies by women in Australia: 'A well-stored sewing basket' / Jane Simpson -- 15. The history of the regulation and exploitation of women's speech and writing in Japan / Momoko Nakamura -- 16. Women and language in Imperial China: 'Womenly words' / Mariarosaria Gianninoto -- 17. Women and language in the Early Indian Tradition / Laurie L. Patton -- 18. Women and the codification and stabilization of the Arabic language / Fatima Sadiqi -- 19. European women and the description and teaching of African languages / Helma Pasch. |
| Abstract |
Women in the History of Linguistics is a ground-breaking investigation into women's contribution to the description, analysis, and codification of languages across a wide range of different linguistic and cultural traditions. Notably, the volume looks beyond Europe to Africa, Australia, Asia, and North America, offering a systematic and comparative approach to a subject that has not yet received the scholarly attention it deserves. In view of women's often limited educational opportunities in the past, their impact is examined not only within traditional and institutional contexts, but also in more domestic and less public realms. The chapters explore a variety of spheres of activity, including the production of grammars, dictionaries, philological studies, critical editions, and notes and reflections on the nature of language and writing systems, as well as women's contribution to the documentation and maintenance of indigenous languages, language teaching and acquisition methods, language debates, and language use and policy. Attitudes towards women's language-both positive and negative-that regularly shape linguistic description and analysis are explored, alongside metalinguistic texts specifically addressed to them as readers. Women in the History of Linguistics is intended for all scholars and students interested in the history of linguistics, women's studies, social and cultural history, and the intersection between language and gender. |
