Abstract:

       There is no shortage of literature when it comes to fieldwork inLinguistics and how to go about collecting data (Payne (1997), Vaux &Cooper (1999), Abbi (2001), Dixon (2007), Bowern (2008), Chelliah & de Reuse (2011) amongst others). So too, much has been debated about thequality of data linguists use in the formulation of linguistics'generalizations and language descriptions. With reference to the (un)questionability of our data, Phillips (2010) notes that linguistics“ ... is a field that relies on intuitive judgment data that isinformal, unreliable, and possibly just plain wrong.”Putting the above in perspective, this talk will focus on the importance of reliable data and how linguists go about eliciting data andtechniques used to discern what reliable data is and contribute to thefurther understanding and development of the field.

          Dr. Gracious M. Temsen holds a PhD degree in Linguistics (2007) from theUniversity of Delhi, Delhi. Currently Dr. Temsen is an Associate Professorat the Centre for Applied Linguistics and Translation Studies, University of Hyderabad. Dr. Temsen teaches Syntax, Typology, Research Methodologyand Analytical Techniques to MA, IMA and PhD students. The areas ofInterest are: Syntax, Khasi linguistics, Typology of Indian Languages, Endangered Languages and Language Documentation. The field is based in theKhasi and Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya where Dr. Temsen is currently working on a comparative grammar of five varieties of Khasi. Dr. Temsen isassociated with the Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages forthe National Geographic's Enduring Voices Project. Dr. Temsen has taught in Summer School and Winter School organized by CIIL Mysore in 2007-2008.Dr. Temsen has served as a Resource person in different workshops onSyntax and Methodology.