While attending a junior college in California, Lori became a Christian and, together with a friend, started an InterVarsity Christian Fellowship group. Part of this involvement led her to attend a mission focused conference called Urbana, which God used to direct her to work overseas.
Lori and her husband Bill worked with SIL (a partner organization of Wycliffe Bible Translators) in various countries of Africa for 19 years. Their work in Congo-Brazzaville, Mozambique and Kenya including teaching, book-keeping and encouraging teams to write up people profiles.
Lori and Bill have two sons living in California, each of whom is married with one son. Lori loves studying biblical cultures and anthropology. They are avid hikers and enjoy the beautiful outdoors here in British Columbia. They love being part of the CanIL community and having the opportunity to work with eager young people as they prepare for the roles God may have for them in Bible translation and minority language development all around the world.
Interesting facts: Lori knows (continental) Portuguese, French, German, Xitsonga, and Swahili. She and Bill have lived in several countries including U.S.A. (35 years), Kenya (9+ years), Mozambique (7+ years), Congo-Brazzaville (2 years), Portugal (18 months), Canada (1 year), and France (6 months).
2007. M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Azusa Pacific University
2001. M.A. in Global Civilizations (Missiology), William Carey International University
Summers 1983,85,86. Introductory and Advanced Linguistics, University of North Dakota
Summer 1984. Applied Linguistics, University of Washington, Seattle
2014 & 1996. Teaching Assistant for Second Language Acquisition, SIL-University of North Dakota
Summers 2010-13. Trainer, SIL Africa Institute for the Development of Languages and Translation in Africa
2001-09. Lecturer (part-time), Pan Africa Christian University, Nairobi, Kenya
1992-2000. Senior Member, SIL-Mozambique, Maputo, Mozambique
1988-90. Member, SIL-Central Africa Group, Brazzaville, Congo
1981-84. Instructor in Science and Math, Pyramid Lake High School, Nixon, Nevada
LING 4/581 Anthropological Linguistics: Ethnography
Sharon became a board member in 2001. She is a budget clerk with Telus, married to her husband Jolland, and has two adult sons. Sharon developed an interest in CanIL through former board chairman, Bill Lim, and enjoys engaging with local Chinese churches. She has helped to arrange a number of church field trips out to CanIL to help people catch the vision of Bible translation.
Scott is a member of Wycliffe USA. Scott and his wife Polly have served in a variety of roles at the International Linguistic Center in Dallas, in Togo, W. Africa, the Philippines, and have had SE Asia as their focus since 2002. Scott is the personnel director for SE Asia, and in 2009, also became the Asia Area recruiter for all the countries where we work in Asia, traveling to different colleges, training institutions and mission events as he invites people to join Wycliffe and come to support Bible translation in Asia. Polly is a computer specialist, repairing and servicing computers for our translation and support members.
Scott and Polly believe in the mission of Bible translation and are excited about the part that CanIL plays to make that happen.
Randy Lebold spent two years living and working in Indonesia, first learning Indonesian and then doing sociolinguistic survey with SIL among the minority language communities in the province of Papua. After returning to live in Canada in early 2006, Randy continued to support the work of sociolinguistic survey in Papua by working remotely and taking short trips to Indonesia. During this time his energies were focused primarily on training national language surveyors and on survey report writing. Randy began teaching at CanIL in the fall of 2009.
Randy is grateful for the opportunity to work at CanIL. He loves designing curriculum, teaching, and interacting with the wonderful students that come to CanIL. It is a thrill for him to see students develop a passion for linguistics and to hear about how they plan to use their knowledge and skills to serve God all over the world. Randy also enjoys supporting other instructors so that they can be successful in their roles. It is a joy to be involved in such a key aspect of the overall vision to see all people engaging with God’s Word in their own language. Randy also loves being a part of the CanIL community life, especially the volleyball!
Interesting facts: Besides Canada, Randy has lived in the USA and Indonesia. He speaks Indonesian (level 3), French (level 1), Tok Pisin (level 1) ... oh yes, and English too.
2023. PhD in Educational Studies, Biola University, California
2002. Master of Applied Linguistics and Exegesis, Trinity Western University - ACTS Seminary
2001. B.Th., Emmanuel Bible College, double major in Bible/Theology and Cross-Cultural Missions, First Class Honours, Pi Alpha Mu Award
2023. An exploration of learners' sense of community and its relationship with involvement and social regulation of learning in a linguistics department at a Christian university in Western Canada. La Mirada, CA: Biola University PhD dissertation. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2808494809
2016. (with Myung-Young Lee) “Survey Report on the Emem Language of Papua, Indonesia.” Journal of Language Survey Reports. 2016-008. https://www.sil.org/resources/publications/entry/70010
2014. (with Ron Kriens, Myo-Sook Sohn and Yunita Susanto) "Report on the upper Digul helicopter survey:. Journal of Language Survey Reports. 2014-002. http://www.sil.org/resources/publications/entry/56910.
2013. (with Ronald Kriens and Yunita Susanto) “A report on the Bamgi, Kia, and Lower Digul River language survey in Papua, Indonesia” Journal of Language Survey Reports. 2013-008. https://www.sil.org/resources/publications/entry/52712
2011. (with Ron Kriens, and Jackie Menanti) “Report on the Haju Subdistrict Survey in Papua, Indonesia. Journal of Language Survey Reports. 2011-024.. https://www.sil.org/resources/publications/entry/41627
2010. (with Ronald Kriens and Peter Jan de Vries) "Report on the Okaba Subdistrict survey in Papua, Indonesia." Journal of Language Survey Reports 2010-008. https://www.sil.org/resources/publications/entry/9086
2010. (with Ron Kriens and Peter Jan de Vries) "Report on the Assue subdistrict survey in Papua, Indonesia." Journal of Language Survey Reports 2010-024. https://www.sil.org/resources/publications/entry/9150
2010. (with Ronald Kriens) "Report on the Wildeman River survey in Papua, Indonesia." Journal of Language Survey Reports 2010-010. https://www.sil.org/resources/publications/entry/9214
2009. (with Myo-Sook Sohn and Ron Kriens) "Report on the Merauke Subdistrict Survey, Papua, Indonesia." SIL Electronic Survey Reports 2009-018. https://www.sil.org/resources/publications/entry/9116
LING 101 Introduction to Linguistics
LING 102 Applying Linguistics in the World
LING 398 Linguistics Practicum
LING 399 Linguistics Internship
LING-LIN 566 Principles of Sociolinguistic Survey
LING-LIN 3/571 Training Across Cultures
Rod hails from New England, but grew up in Massachusetts, north of Boston. He met his wife, Ellen, while in the Buffalo area in 1980. They were married in 1981 and have three adult children and three grandchildren. Rod and Ellen have worked with Wycliffe Bible translators and SIL in various roles (language analysis and literacy work, linguistic consulting), mainly related to work in Africa. They spent several years doing language work in Ghana, including several years (1985-1988, 1989-1991) in a translation and literacy project in the Nawuri language.
The Casalis have been at CanIL since 2006. Rod currently teaches three classes (Advanced Phonology, Acoustic Phonetics and Advanced Field Methods). He loves working with language data and doing linguistic research, and greatly enjoys the interaction with students here. Rod says, “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to train bright and enthusiastic young (and, occasionally, not quite so young!) people to do linguistic research and language development in ways that contribute to Bible translation. The program here can be intense at times, but it is very rewarding.”
Interesting facts: Rod is proficient in French and Nawuri from Ghana, but also knows some Korean, Ewondo, and Ancient Greek.
1992-1996. Ph.D. in linguistics, University of California, Los Angeles.
1983-1988. M.A. in linguistics, University of Texas at Arlington.
1975-1980. B.S. in physics with honors, University of Massachusetts.
Casali, Roderic F. 1996. Resolving hiatus. UCLA dissertation. (Published by Garland Publishing, New York, 1998.)
Phonology, phonetics, African languages.
2006-present. Instructor, Canada Institute of Linguistics
2000-present. International Linguistics Consultant for SIL International. Responsible for advising the SIL international linguistics coordinator on issues involving linguistics in SIL and assisting SIL field teams and entities with linguistic analysis and publication.
1996-2004. Africa Area Linguistics Coordinator for SIL International. This involved developing and implementing strategies to improve the quality and quantity of SIL’s linguistic field research in Africa, providing advice and assistance to linguistics consultants in SIL field entities in Africa, and facilitating communication and sharing of resources among SIL linguistic consultants and field researchers in Africa. It also involved teaching linguistics courses and seminars and providing consultant help in phonology.
1997-1999. Linguistics Coordinator and Consultant for the Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy, and Bible Translation. This position involved overseeing linguistics research and publication projects for GILLBT and advising field linguists on aspects of phonological, morphological, and syntactic analysis in Ghanaian languages. It also involved teaching linguistics courses and seminars.
2001-2004. Phonology Software Tool Developer for SIL Africa Area. Helped develop a software tool to aid SIL field linguists in analyzing the phonological systems of Bantu languages.
1996. Teaching Assistant, UCLA, for Prof. Victoria Fromkin, Linguistics 1 (Introduction to the Study of Language).
1994. Teaching Assistant, UCLA, Prof. Robert Stockwell, Linguistics 10 (Structure of English Words).
1993. Teaching Assistant, UCLA, for Prof. Nina Hyams, Linguistics 1 (Introduction to the Study of Language).
1989. Research Assistant in phonetics, University of Texas at Arlington.
1985-1991. Linguistic Field Worker, SIL. Conducted field research on the Nawuri language of Ghana and developed literacy materials for this language. Designed and taught an introductory course in phonology for the Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation. Served as a linguistics consultant, assisting other field workers with phonological analysis of various Ghanaian languages.
1988. Casali, Roderic F. Vowel clusters and syllable structure in Nawuri. Papers in Ghanaian Linguistics 7:40-61, ed. by Kofi Saah & Emmanuel Osam. Legon: Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana.
1990. Contextual labialization in Nawuri. Studies in African Linguistics 21:319-346.
1994. Nominal tone in Nawuri. Journal of West African Languages 24, 2:45-64.
1995. Nawuri Phonology. (Language Monographs no. 3.) Legon: Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana.
1995. Labial opacity and roundness harmony in Nawuri. Natural Language & Linguistic Theory 13:649-663.
1995. NC’s in Moghamo: prenasalized onsets, or heterosyllabic Clusters? Studies in African Linguistics 24:152-166.
1995. An overview of the Nawuri verbal system. Journal of West African Languages 25,1:63-86.
1995. On the reduction of vowel systems in Volta-Congo. African Languages and Cultures 8,2:109-121.
1996. Vowel elision in hiatus contexts. UCLA Working Papers in Phonology 1:18-56.
1996. A typology of vowel coalescence. UC Irvine Working Papers in Linguistics 2:29-42.
1997. Vowel Elision in hiatus contexts: Which vowel goes? Language 73:493-533.
1998. Predicting ATR Activity. Chicago Linguistic Society 34, 1:55-68.
1998. Review of Natural Phonology: The State of the Art, ed. by Bernard Hurch and Richard A. Rhodes. Notes on Linguistics 81:32-35.
2002. Nawuri ATR harmony in typological perspective. Journal of West African Languages 29, 1:3-43.
2003. [ATR] value asymmetries and underlying vowel inventory structure in Niger-Congo and Nilo-Saharan. Linguistic Typology 7:307-382.
2008.ATR harmony in African languages. Language and Linguistics Compass 2:496-549.
2011. Hiatus resolution. The Blackwell Companion to Phonology, vol. 3, ed. by Marc van Oostendorp, Colin J. Ewen, Elizabeth Hume & Keren Rice, 1434-1460. Malden, MA and Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
2012. [+ATR] dominance in Akan. Journal of West African Languages 39,1:33-59.
2012. Nelson, Deborah, Roderic F.Casali, Tina Ensz, Jill Francis, Donald Chomiak & Jonathan Janzen. 2016. A preliminary overview of Gonja phonology. Canada Institute of Linguistics Electronic Working Papers 2:99-187. https://www.canil.ca/academics/electronic-working-papers/canil-ewp-volume-2-2016.
2016. Jumpstarting phonological fieldwork with a core phonological database. CanIL Electronic Working Papers 2: 1-47. https://www.canil.ca/academics/electronic-working-papers/canil-ewp-volume-2-2016.
2016. Some inventory-related asymmetries in the patterning of tongue root harmony systems. Studies in African Linguistics 45:
95-140. http://sal.research.pdx.edu/PDF/450Casali.pdf.
2017. High-vowel patterning as an early diagnostic of vowel inventory type. Journal of West African Languages 44,1:79-112.
1991. Casali, Roderic F. Vowel elision and glide formation in Niger-Congo: An approach based on syllabification. Paper presented at the 22nd Annual Conference on African Linguistics, Nairobi.,
1993. Labial opacity and roundness harmony in Nawuri. Paper presented at the 24th Annual Conference on African Linguistics, Ohio State University.
1994. Vowel Elision and Glide Formation in Niger-Congo: A Harmony Theoretic Approach. Paper presented at the January 1994 Linguistic Society of America meeting, Boston, January 9, 1994.
1995. Patterns of Glide Formation in Niger-Congo: An Optimality Account. Paper presented at the January 1995 Linguistic Society of America meeting, New Orleans, January 7, 1995.
1996. A typology of vowel coalescence. Paper presented at the 2nd Southwest Optimality Theory Workshop, University of California Irvine, May 11, 1996.
1996. Vowel coalescence in Niger-Congo: Implications for height-feature theory. Paper presented at the 27th Annual Conference on African Linguistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, March 29, 1996.
1997. ATR harmony systems: Some issues for research. Paper presented at the 28th Annual Conference on African Linguistics, Cornell University, July 11-13, 1997.
1998. Predicting ATR Activity. Paper presented at the 34th regional meeting of the Chicago Linguistic Society, April 1998.
1998. Is the active value of ATR predictable? Paper presented at the 21st West African Linguistics Society Congress, Abidjan, July 27, 1998.
1999. Nawuri ATR harmony in typological perspective. Paper presented at the 29th Colloquium on African Languages and Linguistics, Leiden University, 29 August - 1 September 1999.
2002. In search of Yoruba+: [ATR] dominance and vowel inventory structure. Paper presented at the January 1995 Linguistic Society of America meeting, San Fransisco, January 4, 2002.
2002 . [-ATR] Dominance in Underlying Five-height Vowel Systems. Paper presented at the 33rd Annual Conference on African Linguistics, Ohio University, March 22-24, 2002.
2002. Casali, Roderic F. & Myles F. Leitch. Underspecification revisited: [-ATR] dominance and default [+ATR] in Bantu C. Paper presented at the Workshop on the Phonology of African Languages, November 2, 2002, Vienna.
2006. Preliminary observations on the phonology and noun class system of Animere. Paper presented at the 37th Annual Conference on African Languages and Linguistics, University of Oregon, April 6-9, 2006.
2007. On the distinction between root-controlled and dominant ATR harmony. Paper presented at the 38th Annual Conference on African Linguistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, March 22-25, 2007.
2008. Phonetics, phonology and [+ATR] dominance in Akan. Paper presented at the Simon Fraser University Phonology Fest, April 5, 2008.
2009. A software tool for phonological fieldwork. Paper presented at the 6th World Congress of African Linguistics, University of Cologne, August 17-21, 2009.
2010. Dekereke: A software tool for phonological fieldwork. Paper presented at the 41st Annual Conference on African Linguistics, Toronto, May 6-8, 2010.
2012. On the markedness of high [-ATR] and mid [+ATR] vowels: Some non-trivial effects of vowel inventory structure. Paper presented at the 7th World Congress of African Linguistics, University of Buea, Cameroon, August 20-24, 2012.
2015. Revisiting markedness and dominance relations in tongue root harmony. Paper presented at the 46th Annual Conference on African Languages and Linguistics, University of Oregon, March, 2015.
1992-93, 1994-95 President’s Fellowship, UCLA.
West African Linguistics Society
LING-LIN 680 Advanced Field Methods: Analysis and Writing
LING-LIN 650 Survey of Linguistic Theories
LING-LIN 4/586 Advanced Phonological Analysis
LING-LIN 576 Acoustic Phonetics
Keith was born in Nigeria, where his parents were missionaries with the Sudan Interior Mission. When he was still a toddler, Keith's parents returned to Canada and eventually settled on a farm near Grande Prairie, AB. After receiving an M.A. in Linguistics (1980), Keith moved to Ghana with his wife, Ruth. Together they worked with the Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy, and Bible Translation on the Chumburung Bible translation project (1982-87). After completing a doctoral program (1990), Keith served as the Linguistics Coordinator for the Cameroon Branch of SIL (1993-1999), as well as an International Linguistics Consultant with SIL International (1995-2011).
From the early 1990s, Keith and Ruth would come and teach at CanIL for some of their summer programs. But in 2000, Keith came to teach full-time at CanIL and take on an administrative position (2000-2010). Currently, Keith is a Senior Linguistics Consultant with SIL International (2012-present). He currently supervises theses at CanIL and does guest lecturing as invited.
Keith reflects that the most fulfilling part of his involvement at CanIL has always been teaching and supervising students working on thesis research papers. Keith has taught several linguistic courses over the years, but his favourite course by far was Tone Analysis.Interesting facts: Keith and his wife Ruth are widely travelled, and Keith has lived in the following countries for more than 6 months: Nigeria, Ghana, The Netherlands, Cameroon, Ethiopia, U.S.A., and of course, Canada. While Keith is familiar with many languages, he modestly asserts to be proficient only in English and French.
1990. Doctor of Letters in African Linguistics, University of Leiden
1980. Master of Arts in Linguistics, University of Texas at Arlington
1978. Bachelor of Theology (with honors), Canadian Bible College
1974. Diploma, Millar Memorial Bible Institute
2016–Present. Pike Fellow, SIL International
2012–Present. Certified Senior Linguistics Consultant, SIL International
2009–Present. Professor of Linguistics, Canada Institute of Linguistics
2000–2008. Associate Professor of Linguistics, Canada Institute of Linguistics
1999 (Spring). Instructor, University of Yaoundé
1993–1999. Linguistics Coordinator and linguistics consultant, SIL Cameroon
1991, 1996. Instructor, Canada SIL, Trinity Western University
1988 (Spring). Instructor, University of Leiden
1985–1987. Linguistics Coordinator, Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation, Ghana
1982–1987. Field researcher/translator/literacy coordinator, Chumburung Language Project, SIL and Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation, Ghana (Chumburung New Testament published in 1989)
African linguistics
Phonology
Tone analysis
Phonetics of tone, particularly as it impinges on phonological theory
Snider, Keith. (2020) Tone Analysis for Field Linguists. Second edition. Dallas: SIL International Publications.
Snider, Keith. (2018) Tone Analysis for Field Linguists. Dallas: SIL International Publications.
Snider, Keith. (1999) The Geometry and Features of Tone. Dallas: The Summer Institute of Linguistics and The University of Texas at Arlington.
Snider, Keith. (1989) North Guang Comparative Wordlist: Chumburung, Krachi, Nawuri, Gichode and Gonja. Comparative African Wordlists 4. Legon: Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana.
Van der Hulst, Harry and Keith Snider, eds. (1993) The Representation of Tonal Register. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.
Snider, Keith. (2021) Floating tone noun class prefixes in Mada (Nigeria), Linguistique et Langues Africaines 7, 11–41.
Snider, Keith. (2014) On establishing underlying tonal contrast, Language Documentation and Conservation 8, 707–737. http://hdl.handle.net/10125/24622.
Snider, Keith. (2007) Automatic and nonautomatic downstep in Chumburung: An instrumental comparison, The Journal of West African Languages 34.1, 105–114.
Snider, Keith. (1999) Tonal “upstep” in Engenni, The Journal of West African Languages 27, 3–15.
Snider, Keith. (1998) Phonetic realisation of downstep in Bimoba, Phonology 15.1, 77–101.
Snider, Keith. (1992) "Grammatical tone” and orthography, Notes on Literacy 18.4, 25–30.
Snider, Keith. (1990a) Tonal upstep in Krachi: Evidence for a register tier, Language 66.3, 453–74.
Snider, Keith. (1990b) Tone in proto-Guang nouns, African Languages and Culture 3.1, 87–105.
Snider, Keith. (1990c) The consonants of proto-Guang, Journal of West African Languages 20.1, 3–26.
Snider, Keith. (1989a) Vowel coalescence in Chumburung: An autosegmental analysis, Lingua 78, 217–32.
Snider, Keith. (1989b) The vowels of proto-Guang, Journal of West African Languages 19.2, 29–50.
Snider, Keith. (1988) The noun class system of proto-Guang and its implications for internal classification, Journal of African Languages and Linguistics 10.2, 137–63.
Snider, Keith. (1986) Apocope, tone and the glottal stop in Chumburung, Journal of African Languages and Linguistics 8.2, 133–44.
Snider, Keith. (1985) Vowel coalescence across word boundaries in Chumburung, Journal of West African Languages 15.1, 3–13.
Snider, Keith. (1984) Vowel harmony and the consonant l in Chumburung, Studies in African Linguistics 15.1, 47–57.
Roberts, Dave, Stephen Walters & Keith Snider. (2016) Neither deep nor shallow: a classroom experiment testing the orthographic depth of tone marking in Kabiye (Togo). Language and Speech 59.1, 113–28. DOI: 1177/0023830915580387.
Snider, Keith and James Roberts. (2004) SIL comparative African word list (SILCAWL). The Journal of West African Languages 31.2, 73–122. (Also published in 2006 on the web at http://www.sil.org/resources/publications/entry/1990).
Snider, Keith. (2023) [+ATR] dominance in Chumburung. In Jeroen Van de Weijer (ed.). Representing Phonological Detail: Part 1: Segmental Structure and Representations, 249–264. Köln: Rüdiger Köppe Verlag.
Snider, Keith. (2019) Long and short vowels in Chumburung: An instrumental comparison. In Akumbu, Pius W. & Chie, Esther P. (eds.), Engagement with Africa: Linguistic essays in honour of Ngessimo M. Mutaka, 249–264. Köln: Rüdiger Köppe Verlag.
Snider, Keith. (2014) “Orthography and Phonological Depth.” In Michael Cahill and Keren Rice (eds.). Developing Orthographies for Unwritten Languages, 27–48. Dallas: SIL International.
Snider, Keith. (2013) Orthography. In Carole A. Chapelle (ed.), The Encyclopedia of Applied Linguistics, Vol. VII Mu-Pr, 4330–4337. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Snider, Keith. (2001) Linguistic factors in orthography design. In Ngessimo M. Mutaka and Sammy B. Chumbow (eds.), Research mate in African linguistics: Focus on Cameroon, 323–322. Köln: Rüdiger Köppe Verlag.
Snider, Keith. (1988) Towards the representation of tone: A three dimensional approach. In Harry van der Hulst and Norval Smith (eds.), Features, Segmental Structure and Harmony Processes, Vol. 1, 237–69. Dordrecht: Foris Publications.
Snider, Keith and Harry van der Hulst. (1993) Issues in the representation of tonal register. In Harry van der Hulst and Keith Snider (eds.), The Representation of Tonal Register. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.
Snider, Keith. (2018) Review of Laura J. Downing and Annie Rialland (eds.), Intonation in African tone languages. Lingua 204, 16–20.
Snider, Keith. (2004) Review of Jean Blanchon and Denis Creissels (eds.), Issues in Bantu tonology. Journal of African Languages and Linguistics 25.1, 102–106.
Snider, Keith. (2003) Review of Larry M. Hyman and Charles W. Kisseberth (eds.), Theoretical aspects of Bantu tone. Journal of African Languages and Linguistics 24.1, 99–103.
Snider, Keith. (2000) Review of D. Robert Ladd, Intonational phonology. Cambridge Studies in Linguistics 79. Notes on Linguistics 3.3, 166–168.
Snider, Keith. (1997) Review of Francis Katamba (ed.), Bantu phonology and morphology. LINCOM Studies in African Linguistics 6. Notes on Linguistics 79, 50–53.
Snider, Keith. (1989) Review of Mary Kropp-Dakubu (ed.), The languages of Ghana. Journal of African Languages and Linguistics 11.1, 98–103.
Snider, Keith. (1981) Review of Wallace Chafe (ed.), The pear stories. Notes on Linguistics 17, 47–48.
Snider, Keith and Larry Hayashi. ComparaLex. A web-based research database tool for comparative linguists. http://comparalex.canil.ca/
Doug attended Providence College (near Winnipeg) with plans to serve as a pastor. It was a life-changing experience as he learned more about the greatness and goodness of God, and about how to read God's Word with understanding. In his final year at Providence, he learned that over 2000 people groups in world had no Scripture in their language, and was deeply burdened for Bibleless peoples.
Doug completed an MA in Linguistics (Dallas, TX) in 1980, and the next year he and his wife, Phyllis, moved to the Philippines. They served there for 25 years, primarily in the area of Scripture translation. Doug also served on a team to develop a Tagalog language-and-culture course, conducted sociolinguistic survey, served as a lexicography consultant, and taught at Asia SIL. Since 2006, Doug has been teaching at CanIL (Principles of Translation, Philosophical Perspectives in Linguistics, Language Programs Design & Management, and Semantics & Pragmatics). In 2013 he completed the Doctor of Ministry program in Bible Translation. In addition to his administrative VP role, he is an Associate Professor of Linguistics, and he and Phyllis continue to contribute to a language project in the Philippines.
2013. D.Min. in Bible Translation, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
1992. Seminar in Linguistic Consulting, University of North Dakota
1977-1980. M.A. in Linguistics, Honours, University of Texas at Arlington
1974-1977. Bachelor of Religious Education, Providence College
2002-2003. Introduction to Phonology; Applied Linguistics Program, Alliance Graduate School, Manila, Philippines
2000. Semantics, and Introduction to Phonology; Applied Linguistics Program, Alliance Graduate School, Manila, Philippines
1981, 1986, 1991. Phonetics, and Second Language Acquisition; Toronto Institute of Linguistics (Toronto, Canada)
1996. (Assisting Albert Bickford) Field Methods; SIL at University of North Dakota. (Summer session)
1987-Present. Linguist-Translator with Summer Institute of Linguistics (Philippines)
2002, 2004. Lexicography Consultant for Mapun-English Dictionary and Romblomanon-English Dictionary
1984-1985. Sociolinguistic Surveyor (Catanduanes Island, Philippines)
1981-1984. Curriculum Designer (produced language-learning curriculum for expatriates learning Tagalog; trained Filipino language teachers)
2012-2017. Program Chair, Master of Applied Linguistics and Exegesis (CanIL and ACTS Seminaries) 2004-2006. Member, SIL Philippines Executive Committee
1996-2000. Interim Southern Regional Director, SIL Philippines
1986-1987. Business Manager, World Team, Manila, Philippines
2023. How Do We Bible Translators (and BT Agencies) Know When We’ve Succeeded? co-authored with Hollie Butler. (Journal of the Evangelical Missiological Society, Vol. 3.2, 2023.)
2019. God’s Word as Translation. Mobile Ed teaching series, Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
2019. Analyzing the Discourse of BT Leaders. (Paper presented at BT2019, Bible Translation conference, GIAL, Dallas, TX, Oct 11-15, 2019.)
2019. An enriched understanding of ‘meaning’, and how such contributes to linguistics and to language teaching. (Paper presented at the International Conference of the Linguistic Society of the Philippines, De La Salle University, Manila, March 7-9, 2019.)
2018. How on Earth do we receive - and pass on - God’s Thoughts? Presentation at MissionsFest, Vancouver, BC. Jan. 27, 2018.
2015. Review of Dynamic linguistics: Labov, Martinet, Jakobson and other precursors of the dynamic approach to language description, by Iwan Wmffre. 2013. Published in SIL International, Electronic Book Reviews.
2015. Can We Serve the Church by Promoting Clearer Views of the Nature of Translation? (Paper presented at BT2015, Bible Translation conference, GIAL, Dallas, TX.)
2014. Understanding Translation. Paper presented to the 6th Asian Translation Traditions Conference, University of the Philippines, Manila, Oct 23-25.
2013. Optimizing Translation Training at Canada Institute of Linguistics. Thesis Project for DMin in Bible Translation. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
2011. “Assumed and trusted similarity” – when we’ve translated, what is it that we’ve done? Paper presented to Bible Translation 2011, Dallas, TX, USA.
2008. Ergative Control of Syntactic Processes In Southern Sinama.
2004. Serving as a Consultant to Dictionary Compilers. (Paper presented at Lexicography Conference, Payap University Linguistics Department, Chiangmai, Thailand (24-26 May 2004)
2004. Questions for Testing Translations: Genesis. SIL & UBS: Translators’ Workplace 4.0.
2001. Serving as consultant to larger teams. SIL: Lingualinks 5.0 (Consulting Bookshelf).
1997. Equi-NP deletion in Sama Southern. Philippine Journal of Linguistics 28.125-144.1997 - Review: Electronic performance support systems. Notes on Linguistics, Number 76.
Sinama Publications (involvement as co-translator):
Sean’s domain of specialization in linguistics is morphosyntax – the study of the structure and function of words and sentences. He teaches an advanced grammar course ( L4/560 Morphosyntax II), a course addressing in-depth topics in morphosyntax (L660 Topics in Morphology and Syntax), a course exploring the range of formal and functional models within linguistics (L650 Survey of Linguistic Theories), and a course in academic writing for linguistics (L685 Academic Writing in Linguistics).
Sean and Lezlie’s passion is to see God’s Word available to every people group in an understandable and accessible form. They enjoy the opportunity at CanIL to prepare future translators/linguists for their roles within the global Bible translation movement. Sean says, “By God’s grace, I’m excited to play a small role in seeing ‘a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.’ (Rev. 7:9)”
2007–2012. Completion of Ph.D. in Linguistics at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Dissertation title: Aspects of a Grammar of Makary Kotoko (Chadic, Cameroon)
1996–1997. Completion of D.E.A. (diplôme d’études approfondies - indepth studies diploma) in Linguistics, Université Marc Bloch, Strasbourg, France. Thesis title: Une étude comparative du [ɹ] anglo-américain et du [ʀ] français dans les positions post-pausales accentuées : Vers une phonétique acoustique corrective
1992–1993. Completion of maîtrise (“Masters”) in Linguistics, Université Marc Bloch, Strasbourg, France
1991–1992. Completion of licence (“Bachelor’s degree”) in Linguistics, Université Marc Bloch, Strasbourg, France
1989–1991. Completion of D.E.U.G. (diplôme d’études universitaires générales - general university studies diploma) in Linguistics, Université Marc Bloch, Strasbourg, France
1988–1989. Completion of the Certificat Pratique de Langue Française (Practical Certificate of the French Language) and the Diplôme d’Etudes Françaises (French Studies Diploma), Institut International d’Etudes Françaises, Strasbourg, France
2015–Present. Sessional Associate Professor of French at Trinity Western University
2012–Present. Associate Professor of Linguistics at Trinity Western University
1998–Present. Ongoing work in a language development project (linguistic analysis, literacy, translation) for a Central Chadic B language (Makary Kotoko (mpade)) in Cameroon, Africa under the auspices of SIL Cameroon
1998–2013. Instructional staff member for several national-level SIL sponsored language development courses (orthography design, grammatical analysis, semantic analysis, discourse features, literature production, translation principles, basic computer skills) in Cameroon and Chad. Course instruction given in French.
1998–2006. Course director and instructor for 6 village-level SIL sponsored language development courses in northern Cameroon. Course instruction given in French.
2001–Present. Coordinator for SIL Cameroon language development work for Kotoko languages
1995–Present. Member of Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL
Spring 2011. Graduate Part-time Instructor Teaching Excellence award, Graduate school of the University of Colorado at Boulder
2020. A Grammar of Makary Kotoko (Grammars and Sketches of the World’s Languages, Volume 12). Brill:Leiden.
2020. (co-authors: Henry Tourneux & Adam Mahamat). Bibliographie Kotoko – Kotoko Bibliography. Online manuscript available at kotokoresources.net.
2020. The notion of ‘word’ in Makary Kotoko. In Alexandra Aikhenvald & R.M.W. Dixon & Nathan White (eds.), Phonological word and grammatical word. Oxford University Press: Oxford. pp. 260–284.
2017. Conditional constructions in Makary Kotoko. Studies in African Linguistics 46. 33–49.
2017. Borrowings but no diffusion: A case of language contact in the Lake Chad basin. Journal of Language Contact 10. 395–421.
2015. Advocating for a Merged Approach to Bible Translation. Paper submitted to Bible Translation 2015: The 8th Biennial Bible Translation Conference, Dallas, Texas, Oct 16–20, 2015.
2013. Abécédaire provisoire du kotoko de Kousseri (mser). SIL ms.
2013. Kousseri Kotoko Provisional Lexicon. SIL ms, 22pp.
2012. Abécédaire du kotoko de Makari (mpade). SIL ms.
2012. Aspects of a Grammar of Makary Kotoko (Chadic, Cameroon). Boulder, CO: University of Colorado at Boulder PhD dissertation. 606pp.
2009. Derivation of the Person-Aspect-Mood System of Makary Kotoko. in E. Rothmaler, Ed.Topics In Chadic Linguistics V. Comparative and Descriptive Studies. Papers from the 4th Biennial International Colloquium on the Chadic Languages, Bayreuth, October 30–31, 2007. 2009, Rüdiger Köppe: Köln. Coll. Chadic Linguistics, Vol. 6, p. 9–21.
2007. Linguistic Evidence for the Islamization of the Makary Kotoko by the Kanuri. in H. Tourneux, Ed. Topics In Chadic Linguistics III. Historical Studies. Papers from the 3rd Biennial International Colloquium on the Chadic Languages, Villejuif, November 24–25, 2005. 2007, Rüdiger Köppe: Köln. Coll. Chadic Linguistics, Vol. 4, p. 9–25.
2006. Borrowings in Makary Kotoko. SIL ms. 110 pp.
2006. Alphabet et orthographe de Kotoko de Makary (mpade) (Makary Kotoko Orthography Statement). SIL ms. 31pp.
2006. Livret d’introduction à l’orthographe de la langue kotoko parlée aux alentours de la ville de Makary (mpade) (Makary Kotoko Transition Primer). SIL ms. 64pp.
2003. Makary Kotoko Provisional Lexicon. SIL ms. 58pp.
Special Workshop: ‘Word’: its manifestations and functions. Language and Culture Research Centre, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia, Oct. 3–4, 2018 (paper given).
9th Biennial Bible Translation conference (Bible Translation 2017), Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics, Dallas, Texas, Oct. 13–17, 2017 (paper given).
47th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL 47), University of California, Berkeley, March 23–26, 2016 (paper given).
8th Biennial Bible Translation conference (Bible Translation 2015), Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics, Dallas, Texas, Oct 16–20, 2015 (paper given).
46th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL 46), Oregon University, Eugene, Oregon, March 26–28, 2015 (paper given)1st Global Linguistics Forum (GLiF), Vajta, Hungary, Aug. 16–20, 2010.
4th Biennial International Colloquium on the Chadic Languages (BICCL 4), Bayreuth, Germany, Oct. 30–31, 2007 (paper given).
3rd Biennial International Colloquium on the Chadic Languages (BICCL 3), Villejuif, France, Nov. 24–25, 2005 (paper given).
4th World Congress of African Linguistics (WOCAL 4) and 34th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL 34), Rutgers University, New Jersey, June 17–22, 2003.
French High proficiency in speaking, writing and reading
Makary Kotoko Good proficiency in speaking, writing and reading
NT Greek Good proficiency in reading the NT Greek text
LING–LIN 4/560 Morphosyntax II
LING–LIN 650 Survey of Linguistic Theories
LING–LIN 660 Topics in Morphology & Syntax
LING 685 Academic Writing in Linguistics
FREN 380 Phonétique et prononciation
FREN 360 Grammaire française avancée
FREN 305, 306 Langue écrite et orale
FREN 111, 112 Intermediate French
FREN 101, 102 Introduction to French
2022 Post Graduate Diploma in Research Methods, University of Bristol, U.K.
2021 PhD, Education, University of Bristol, U.K.
2003 Masters of Applied Linguistics & Exegesis, Trinity Western University - ACTS Seminary
2002 Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language Certificate, Trinity Western University
1992 Bachelor of Theology, Master's College and Seminary
2014-present. President, Canada Institute of Linguistics
2012-2021. Doctoral Researcher at University of Bristol. Researching issues of social exclusion among minority-language communities, and policy issues related to minority-language development.
2010-2012. Director of Training and Development, Uganda - Tanzania Branch at SIL International. Focused on capacity-building and professional development in cross-cultural teamwork.
2004-2009. Training Coordinator, Uganda- Tanzania Branch at SIL International. Involved in implementing linguistic training for the purpose of language development for 19 Eastern Bantu language communities.
2001-2003. Instructor in Linguistics at Canada Institute of Linguistics. Taught and assisted in the teaching of phonetics, phonology, grammar, field methods, lexicography, and philosophy of language.
policy issues related to minoritized language communities, educational development, capability approach, critical discourse studies, language of instruction, mother tongue-based multilingual education
2023. (Socio)linguistic Citizenship in Rural Tanzania: A Perspective from the Capability Approach. In J. Gspandl, C. Korb, A. Heiling, & E. Erling (Eds.), The Power of Voice in Transforming Multilingual Societies (No. 29; pp. 123–145). Multilingual Matters.
2024. Language of instruction attitudes in rural Tanzania. In C. Reilly, F. Chimbutane, J. Clegg, C. Rubagumya, & E. J. Erling (Eds.), Multilingual Learning Assessment, Ideologies and Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa (pp. 123–145). Routledge.
