The Cornell Lectures: Women in the Linguistics Profession

Abstract

U In June 1989, a two-day conference on women in linguistics was held at Cornell University. This volume, a collection of the papers given at that conference, transmits the energy, openness, struggles, yet hope of the conference and its participants. The contributors, both female and male, have a variety of research interests and positions in academe. The papers focus on the problems and complexities faced by women and others who do not fit the model of the successful (male) academic because of such factors as socialization, cultural expectations, and personality. Also included are concrete suggestions for making changes and improving the educational setting for all persons equally, regardless of gender. The volume is divided into five parts with descriptive titles: Introduction, Women in Linguistics: the Numbers, Problems and their Sources, Finding and Giving Support, and Places in a Woman's Career. There is a useful annotated bibliography of feminist linguistics included in the introductory article by Sally McConnell-Ginet as well as helpful references at the end of each article. Each reader will be struck by different sections of the collection and by different details and analyses. It is unimportant whether or not one views oneself as a linguist, for the papers speak to anyone in higher education-junior or senior faculty members, adjunct or part-time ESL faculty members, administrators, or graduate students. Barriers to success in academia range from overt discrimination such as sexual harassment to subtle discrimination such as lack of