Features
Prof Talk with. . . Bonnie Urciuoli
By Robert Marston ’17
September 29, 2016
Tags features
Position: Leonard C. Ferguson Professor and Chair of Anthropology
At Hamilton Since: 1988
What was the last book you loved?
I don’t know about “last” but books I’ve reread a lot and especially love include Barbara Pym’s Excellent Women, Fran Lebowitz’s Metropolitan Life and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. My absolute all-time favorite might be Stella Gib- bon’s Cold Comfort Farm. All social satire by observant wom- en. Coincidence? I think not.
What books might we be surprised to find on your shelves?
Probably not really surprising but I do have all Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books. More social satire.
What music did you listen to in high school and college? What music do you listen to now?
I’m not sure my tastes have changed much since high school and college––Broadway shows, opera, classical music and old pop music. I do love Queen.
When and why were you first interested in linguistics? In anthropology?
Linguistics probably from 9th grade Latin, when I discov- ered case grammar and thought, now that makes sense! (Shout- out to Carmelia Leotta, my high school Latin teacher.) As to anthropology, I think in some ways I was always interested. I remember thinking about high school in terms that I later found out to be concepts like structural oppositions and social facts.
What is one misconception peo- ple have about linguistics?
That it’s about how language is supposed to be rather than how language actually works.
What is a fact about you that might surprise us?
When I was in high school I had a subscription to MAD Magazine. I think my whole attitude toward everything was heavily shaped by MAD.
How is your book coming along? What is it about?
It’s about the way notions of diversity are variously construed and produced by different parts of the College (particularly as part of college marketing), and how that affects student lives, and how it all doesn’t really fit together. I’m on the last chapter so one of these days I’ll be finished.
Who is your favorite fiction author?
Barbara Pym. I wish I could have met her.
What are your favorite books on language/linguistics?
My all-time favorite is Einar Haugen’s The Norwegian Language in America.
Do you like writing academic papers?
I do. Well, let’s say I like having written them. The actual writing can be painful.
What is one thing you wish you could change about Hamilton?
Not just Hamilton but all colleges and universities––get rid of as much of the marketing and branding as possible.
As a linguist, how would you characterize the speaking pat- terns and habits of Donald Trump?
They establish and extend his political brand. They have no fixed informational content. They are designed to grab and hold au- dience attention and to persuade that audience that they and he are somehow alike. From the perspec- tive of communicative function, his audience interaction plays on style, expression, persuasion, feedback–– not however actual reference.
What do you consider your best quality?
I tend to stick to things ‘til they’re done. More or less.
What talent orskill don’t you pos- sess that you wish you did?
Builder skills likeplumbing, electricity, basic construction.
What is something you know now that you wish you had known when you were 20?
How little it would matter what other people think of me.
You’re retiring at the end of this school year. What will you miss most about Hamilton?
The students