Presidential Address 2003: Language, Liberties, Waves, and Webs——Engaging the Present

Abstract

MUY BUENAS NOCHES. GRACIAS A TODOS POR SU ASIStencia, y a esta ciudad fronteriza por su generosa recepcion. It’s a pleasure for me to preside here in San Diego, one of the mothers of all contact zones. We’re in the heart of Greater Aztlan, and in that spirit I’d like to call tonight on the company of one of its most gorgeous and powerful deities, Coatlicue (see p. 418), goddess of life and death, mother of the meditative plumed serpent Quetzalcoatl, of the warlike Huitzilopochtli, and of his sister and archrival Coyolxauhqui. Coatlicue is recognized by her skirt of serpents and her necklace of skulls and hands. In this beautiful carving, recovered in 1790 when the main plaza of Mexico City was being paved, she has been decapitated, and a twoheaded serpent has appeared where her head was. I’d like to imagine her tonight as a work of border art, standing on la linea, looking both ways. Here we are. Let me begin by congratulating the prizewinners. The range and vitality of the work rewarded tonight reflect the achievements of individuals and of the scholarly communities that sustain them. The convention each year marks the finish line for the MLA president, and every one of us arrives there kneeling in gratitude to the MLA’s accomplished staff. Rosemary Feal has done a truly admirable job of taking over the reins as executive director, supported by Regina Vorbeck, head of operations; Amilde Hadden, director of financial operations; Judy Goulding, director of publishing operations; Elizabeth Welles, director of foreign language programs and ADFL; David Laurence, director of English programs and ADE; Carol Zuses, coordinator of governance; Barbara Chen, director of Bibliographic Information Services; David Nicholls, director of book publications; and Maribeth Kraus, who organizes this convention. We particularly honor Elizabeth