About
I am an assistant professor of linguistics at the University of Oklahoma in the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
I am interested in syntax and its connections to the semantics and morphology interfaces. The empirical basis for my work comes from my original fieldwork with under-studied languages, primarily Ch'ol (Mayan, Mexico). I have a PhD in linguistics from Cornell University with graduate minors in American Indian and Indigenous Studies and Cognitive Science.
Working with poet and author Charlotte Friedman, I have translated two collections of Juana Peñate's from Ch'ol to English and have published poems from them in literary journals such as World Literature Today, Poetry London and Exchanges. For a list and links to our Ch'ol poetry translations click here. Our forthcoming book, From Lightning's Strike, will be published this March with Mayapple Press. Pre-order here!
I am a professionally qualified Ch’ol (also spelled Chol) interpreter, working in both the Tila and Tumbala dialects. I have provided interpretation services in U.S. state superior courts as well as federal courts. I have written about about my experiences interpreting in Current Anthropology (here) and World Literature Today (here). For inquiries about Ch'ol interpreting and translation email me here.
Contact:
Department of Modern Langugages, Literatures, and Linguistics
University of Oklahoma
little@ou.edu