Hello all!
I apologize for not having written in so long–I have been extremely busy, but I know that is no excuse. Well, I am here now, and I thought I’d post a brief update on my life.
As aforementioned, I’ve been rather busy with end-of-the-year ‘stuff,’ including 3 final papers and 4 final exams. Fortunately, I finished the third paper today, which means all I really have left is studying for exams. I actually rather enjoyed writing this paper today (for sociolinguistics & dialectology); the title of my paper is “Saving Face: An Ethnomethodological Analysis of Sociopragmatic Strategies in Mandarin Chinese Conversation,” which is a lot of really big words for “how and why Chinese speakers use langauge in conversation.” The paper itself is less than perfect, but it was intellectually stimulating at any rate.
So, I walked out of Subway today with a 6-inch turkey on Italian Herbs and Cheese to find the former President of the United States of America strolling casually down the sidewalk. Yes, Jimmy Carter was here today at Wake Forest for the Southeastern regional gather of the New Baptist Covenant (whatever that means); but it’s not everday you get to see the former leader of your country in person. No, I didn’t get to say hi, but it was indeed a moment to remember.
Other than that, my life’s been pretty boring, at least compared to college standards, as I spend most of my time studying rather than partying and procrastinating as most other college students are wont to do. On a more exciting (th0ugh still academic) note, however, I have received a grant to conduct research this summer on the Catawba language. Catawba is an Amerindian (Native American) language that “died” out some time in the early- to mid-1900s. My task, then, will be to discover all that can be discovered concerning the structure of the language (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, etc.). I obviously won’t get to interview any native speakers, but it should still prove to be an enjoyable task. Who can argue with getting paid to learn another language?!
Well, I guess that’s all for now. I’m sure I could say more, but my watch reads the far-too-late time of 1:40 (and 19 seconds) AM, so I’d best be off to bed. All I can offer for parting words are words of encouragement, that God is indeed in control, and when you surrender that control to Him, things go a lot more smoothly. This is a lesson I keep learning again and again (as God says, “You think this kid woulda figured it out by now”), but God is indeed patient and longsuffering (if that’s a word), and if He weren’t… boy would I be in a hairy mess!
Yours truly,
James D. Churchill
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been prayng for your summer scholarship to be granted. Praise the Lord! Grandpa Tom
Nice to hear from you, James. Glad to hear about your great summer opportunity. What a blessing! I assume you are using the Conversation Analysis side of Ethnomethodology that comes from Harvey Sacks. I’m also using Ethnomethodology, but the side that focuses more on the observation of action.
Thank you for your prayers!
Yes, Uncle Gary, my paper deals largely with conversation analysis. It’s funny, “ethnomethodology” was always a really big word I heard you say often–what was my surprise when we learned about and studied this year in class! Ethnography of speaking / ethnomethodology has actually been one of my favorite parts of the course, too.
How did they explain the essence of non-conversation analysis ethnomethodology?
James, we are rejoicing that you received the research fellowship. We can’t wait to see you next week. Your paper sounds interesting and makes me long to finish my dissertation. Time, however, is a force that cannot be reckoned with.
My textbook quotes Leiter as saying, “the aim of ethnomethodology… is to study the processes of sense making (idealizing and formulizing) that members of society… use to construct the social world and its factual properties (its sense of being ready-made and independent of perception).” The book primarily focuses on the linguistic/conversational aspect of ethnomethodology but doesn’t delve too deep into the non-conversation analysis side, though the book does say that “Ethnomethodologists are interested in such matters as how people interact, solve common problems, maintain social contacts, perform routine activities, and show that they know what is going on around them and communicate that knowledge to others,” thus indicating that ethnomethodology is not purely linguistic in nature.
Yes, I have the Leiter book.
Thanks for the update James! That’s so cool that you got to see Jimmy Carter!
I’m very thankful that God has allowed you to have this internship. I think you will enjoy it. And speaking of presidents, isn’t Joe Biden speaking at commencement?
Yes, Vice President Joe Biden will be speaking at commencement (and receiving an honorary doctor of laws degree) on May 18.
James, all very interesting. Please do not judge all Delawareans by Joe Biden! Actually he is not a native Delawarean.
I had never even heard that he was from Delaware at all, so don’t worry 🙂
Wonder why they picked such a liberal?
Very Awesome, James! Indeed, the academic life is not boring. I prefer the non-procrastinating, not to much partying aspect of college. I think it is a wonderful thing to stay on task! So, I say, keep it up!
I have 43 pages and 3 exams left, so I’m with you, James! When does school get out?
Man, you are associated with famous people! Jimmy Carter, Joe Biden and Winston Churchill. I feel so privileged to be your cousin! 🙂
My last exam is May 7, a week from this Thursday. 我很高興！ I’m so excited!