Eric Mareschal. La musique des Hmong. Paris: Musée Guimet, 1976.
Mareschal's La Musique des Hmong has long been cited as one of the first and most comprehensive sources on Hmong music Laos. Unfortunately, it also also been almost impossible to get. I try every couple of years to get a copy to no avail. There are only a few copies in international libraries and no one is willing to lend it out. I recently found out that Eric Mareschal has uploaded a .pdf of the work to the website Scribd.
For someone like me who is interested in Hmong music and history, this is a pretty monumental event. I've only skimmed the contents, but the amount of detail the book contains is incredible. Mareschal documents secular and ritual songs (including musical transcriptions), qeej performances, and other types of instrumental music. Both Hmong Daer and Mong Leng music is included. The texts of these performances are highly valuable in their own right, but the musical transcriptions hold the potential for an interesting comparison with contemporary practices.
I don't think the full impact of the availability of this text will be realized for quite some time. It will take a while for people to realize it is available and fact that it is in French adds another barrier. Still, I am excited to spend some time with this text to see what it holds.
Showing posts with label research. Show all posts
Showing posts with label research. Show all posts
Friday, February 17, 2012
Sunday, April 13, 2008
How well do you understand the raj?
I'm still on my way home from the International Studies Conference on Hmong Studies where I presented a paper on my recent experiments on music and language cognition in Hmong culture. It was a wonderful conference and I'll write more about it soon. In my presentation, I brought up an experiment I did with a number of people who were skilled at understanding messages on the raj. In the experiment, I took a number of common phrases and cut them up into smaller and smaller segments, down to the level of two successive pitches. I presented these to the subjects and asked them to tell me the words that they understood. This allowed some insight into the listening strategies they use. I wanted to play some examples during the talk, but I ran out of time. I've made a webpage with some examples and I'll try to make something a little more extensive soon. On the page, you can play the sound files and reveal the words that the musician played. Let me know what you think. On to the music ...
Note: The page seems to work better in Firefox than Internet Explorer. If you do access it with IE, it might take longer than usual for the page to load due to the javascript needed for the media.
Note: The page seems to work better in Firefox than Internet Explorer. If you do access it with IE, it might take longer than usual for the page to load due to the javascript needed for the media.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Upcoming Hmong research presentations
The Society for Ethnomusicology annual meeting is in Columbus this year. I'll be presenting the early results from my recent field research in a paper at the pre-conference symposium on cognitive ethnomusicology and in a poster during the conference.
Wed., Oct. 24
The Role of Pitch in the Processing of Tonal Languages: New Evidence on the Connection between Language and Music
Thurs., Oct. 25
Pitch Processing in Speech Surrogates and Tonal Languages: a Link between Language and Music
On Sat., I'm presenting some material from my Masters thesis at the OSU Ethnomusicology Lab showcase, as well. Since its my home turf, I'm busy taking care of the behind-the-scenes details. When things have settled down in a couple of weeks, I have some upgrades planned for the website (including a new section about Hmong speech surrogates).
Wed., Oct. 24
The Role of Pitch in the Processing of Tonal Languages: New Evidence on the Connection between Language and Music
Thurs., Oct. 25
Pitch Processing in Speech Surrogates and Tonal Languages: a Link between Language and Music
On Sat., I'm presenting some material from my Masters thesis at the OSU Ethnomusicology Lab showcase, as well. Since its my home turf, I'm busy taking care of the behind-the-scenes details. When things have settled down in a couple of weeks, I have some upgrades planned for the website (including a new section about Hmong speech surrogates).
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Hmong language and music research
As of Monday, 20 August, I'll be traveling through Wisconsin and Minnesota conducting linguistic experiments with speakers of the Hmong language. The results of these experiments will shed light on how Hmong musicians are able to communicate words through instrumental music. The experiments are part of a larger, cross-cultural study that will contribute to a better understanding of how tonal languages are processed. Below, you will find a recruitment letter that explains the research in greater detail. Please feel free to pass it along to anyone who might be interested. You can contact me with questions (or better yet, volunteer to take the test) via the e-mail address listed on my website.
THE PROCESSING OF PITCH IN HMONG LANGUAGE AND MUSIC
How do Hmong musicians communicate words through music? How do speakers of the Hmong language (and other tonal languages) use tone to understand spoken words? Do speakers of Hmong process language differently from speakers of other tonal languages?
These questions will be investigated in a set of linguistic experiments and your help is needed in finding participants. The data gathered from these experiments will be used to better understand how skilled Hmong musicians are able to communicate words through music (on instruments like the raj, qeej, and nplooj) -- a phenomenon never before studied with experimental methods. The data will also be used to study how lexical tone is processed not only by speakers of the Hmong language, but of tonal languages in general. The success of this research will be largely dependent on the number of participants, and if you have an interest in the study of Hmong language and music, we encourage you to consider joining us.
Who:
-Native speakers of Hmoob Dawb with normal hearing (speakers of Moob Leeg who are fluent in Hmoob Dawb may also participate. See "Other information" for details)
-Above 18 years-old
-We are especially interested in testing older speakers who have experience playing or listening to raj, ncas, qeej, etc.
-Younger people are welcome to take the test, but if possible, we encourage you to seek out older relatives and friends who might be interested in participating, as well
What:
There are 2 tests that will be run (each subject will only take 1 test)
1) Listen to syllables and decide if they are words in Hmoob Dawb or if they are not words (i.e., nonsense sounds). Responses are recorded by pressing a button on a computer.
2) Listen to syllables and repeat them aloud into a microphone.
Participants who are familiar with the raj and qeej are invited to take a brief follow-up test:
3) Listen to short phrases from performances on the raj and speak aloud the words that are played.
Tests 1 and 2 last between 30 to 45 minutes and test 3 lasts only 5 minutes. The total time for the experiment should be less than an hour (including set up time, a practice sessions, and breaks).
Where:
-Testing can be done at any location of your choosing, including the home of the subject
-The first round of testing will take place in Wisconsin and Minnesota (see below for more details). Later testing will take place in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
When:
-scheduling is very flexible and can be done at your convenience
Testing will be available in the following locations at the dates listed:
-Madison, WI: 20 - 27 August
-Eau Claire, WI and the Twin Cities, MN: August 28 - Sept. 7
-Locations in Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania are available after Sept. 7
How you can help:
- set up a time to take the test yourself
- help us to find other people who might be interested in taking the test
- pass along this message to other people who might be able to spread the word about this research
Other information:
The experiment is overseen by Dr. Udo Will of the Ohio State University and testing will be administered by Nicholas Poss (a PhD candidate from Ohio State). A Hmong language interpreter is available upon request. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer any monetary compensation for participation. However, the issues we are investigating have never been studied before, and there is significant potential for increased understanding about both Hmong language and music as well as tonal language in general. We hope this is at least a small incentive for volunteers. The names of the participants are only recorded on a consent form and no personally identifiable information about the subjects will ever be made public.
Please be aware that the experimental materials for this research consists of words in the Hmoob Dawb dialect. Due to constraints of time, we could not produce a version in both dialects. Native speakers of Moob Leeg who are fluent in Hmoob Dawb should be able to take the test with little difficulty.
We welcome your questions and comments about the research. Mr. Poss's contact information can be found at http://www.nicholasposs.com/contact.html.
THE PROCESSING OF PITCH IN HMONG LANGUAGE AND MUSIC
How do Hmong musicians communicate words through music? How do speakers of the Hmong language (and other tonal languages) use tone to understand spoken words? Do speakers of Hmong process language differently from speakers of other tonal languages?
These questions will be investigated in a set of linguistic experiments and your help is needed in finding participants. The data gathered from these experiments will be used to better understand how skilled Hmong musicians are able to communicate words through music (on instruments like the raj, qeej, and nplooj) -- a phenomenon never before studied with experimental methods. The data will also be used to study how lexical tone is processed not only by speakers of the Hmong language, but of tonal languages in general. The success of this research will be largely dependent on the number of participants, and if you have an interest in the study of Hmong language and music, we encourage you to consider joining us.
Who:
-Native speakers of Hmoob Dawb with normal hearing (speakers of Moob Leeg who are fluent in Hmoob Dawb may also participate. See "Other information" for details)
-Above 18 years-old
-We are especially interested in testing older speakers who have experience playing or listening to raj, ncas, qeej, etc.
-Younger people are welcome to take the test, but if possible, we encourage you to seek out older relatives and friends who might be interested in participating, as well
What:
There are 2 tests that will be run (each subject will only take 1 test)
1) Listen to syllables and decide if they are words in Hmoob Dawb or if they are not words (i.e., nonsense sounds). Responses are recorded by pressing a button on a computer.
2) Listen to syllables and repeat them aloud into a microphone.
Participants who are familiar with the raj and qeej are invited to take a brief follow-up test:
3) Listen to short phrases from performances on the raj and speak aloud the words that are played.
Tests 1 and 2 last between 30 to 45 minutes and test 3 lasts only 5 minutes. The total time for the experiment should be less than an hour (including set up time, a practice sessions, and breaks).
Where:
-Testing can be done at any location of your choosing, including the home of the subject
-The first round of testing will take place in Wisconsin and Minnesota (see below for more details). Later testing will take place in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
When:
-scheduling is very flexible and can be done at your convenience
Testing will be available in the following locations at the dates listed:
-Madison, WI: 20 - 27 August
-Eau Claire, WI and the Twin Cities, MN: August 28 - Sept. 7
-Locations in Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania are available after Sept. 7
How you can help:
- set up a time to take the test yourself
- help us to find other people who might be interested in taking the test
- pass along this message to other people who might be able to spread the word about this research
Other information:
The experiment is overseen by Dr. Udo Will of the Ohio State University and testing will be administered by Nicholas Poss (a PhD candidate from Ohio State). A Hmong language interpreter is available upon request. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer any monetary compensation for participation. However, the issues we are investigating have never been studied before, and there is significant potential for increased understanding about both Hmong language and music as well as tonal language in general. We hope this is at least a small incentive for volunteers. The names of the participants are only recorded on a consent form and no personally identifiable information about the subjects will ever be made public.
Please be aware that the experimental materials for this research consists of words in the Hmoob Dawb dialect. Due to constraints of time, we could not produce a version in both dialects. Native speakers of Moob Leeg who are fluent in Hmoob Dawb should be able to take the test with little difficulty.
We welcome your questions and comments about the research. Mr. Poss's contact information can be found at http://www.nicholasposs.com/contact.html.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Hmong Research Fulltext Online Resources
As part of an ongoing bibliography project, I'm keeping track of online resources for research in Hmong studies (not including the Hmong Studies Journal and other sources associated with the Hmong Resource Center
The REN, Inc. Bookshelf The Refugee Educators' Network makes available several out-of-print titles as part of their library. The variety and rarity of the titles is amazing and the quality of the scans is excellent. Many of the books are standard texts for anyone interested in Hmong studies, although some of the information is outdated. A sample of titles offered as .pdf for download (* marks outstanding titles):
A Life Apart: Viewed from the Hills, Boyes/Priban
Allons Faire le Tour du Ciel et de la Terre: Le Chamanisme des Hmong Vu dans les Textes, Mottin
English-Hmong Primary Word Book (Revised), National Center for materials and Curriculum Development
History of the Hmong, Mottin
The Hmong in the West: Observations and Reports, Downing/Olney
The Hmong in Transition, Hendricks/Downing/Deinard
Hmong Folktales, Johnson
Hmong Recipe
Kr'ua Ke (Showing the Way): A Hmong Initiation of the Dead, White [English translation of Lemoine's French transcription of the Hmong funeral ritual in L'Initation du Mort]
L'Initiation du Mort chez les Hmong, LemoineThe Meo of Xieng Khouan Province, Barney/Halpern
Minority Groups in Northern Laos: Especially the Yao, Iwata
Songs and Stories of the Chu'uan Miao, Graham
The Hmong in the West contains three articles, significant for their contribution to the study of Hmong music in the United States, which began shortly after Hmong immigrants arrived.
"Speech Surrogate Systems of the Hmong: From Singing Voices to Talking Reeds." Amy Catlin
"Aesthetic Language in White Hmong." Brenda Johns and David Strecker
"Some Secret Languages of the Hmong." Maria Derrick-Mescua, Judith Berman, and Mary Beth Carlson.
The Hmong: An Introduction to their History and Culture (2004) A fairly up-to-date and comprehensive introduction to Hmong history, language, and culture produced by the Center for Applied Linguistics. Features multiple authors and input from Dr. Gary Yia Lee and Dr. Martha Ratliff.
Chapters are available online at (links at the top of the page): http://www.cal.org/co/hmong/index.html
The entire booklet can be downloaded as a .pdf: http://www.cal.org/co/hmong/hmong_FIN.pdf
Field Guide to Hmong Culture (2004): written by Dia Cha (PhD, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Ethnic Studies, St. Cloud State University) and produced by the Madison Children's Museum. A booklet aimed a a young audience. Those looking for a general introduction to Hmong traditions (art, folklore, history) may find this to be useful. Includes several pictures.
http://csumc.wisc.edu/cmct/HmongTour/howwedidit/HMONG_FIELD_GUIDE_WEB.pdf
The Hmong World (1986): a fulltext pdf of this important (and out-of-print) volume. Contains oral histories, stories, and scholarly articles.
Link to the page at Yale: http://www.yale.edu/seas
Link to the pdf: http://www.yale.edu/seas
The Hmong Primer (last revised 1999): extensive collection of language learning materials via the Refugee Educator's Network (including a glossary, frequently used word list, and graded Hmong language stories.)
http://www.reninc.org/pages
REN also has a downloadable copy of Grandmother's Way, Grandfather's Path (Yang/Lewis) an outstanding collection of stories and songs in Hmong and English. [One of the sections does not download properly.]
Hmong Visual, Oral, and Social Design: Innovation within a Frame of the Familiar (1993) by Judy Lewis: also hosted by REN, Lewis's masters thesis
La Musique des Hmong (1976) is Eric Mareschal's groundbreaking document on Hmong music practiced in Laos.
Linguist David Mortenson has pdf copies of several unpublished articles about (H)mong language on his academic website (scroll down for the list): http://socrates.berkeley.edu/
Markedness of White Hmong Tones (1996) by Brian McKibben.
Available through via Internet Archive: http://web.archive.org/web
Of course, there is always the extensive collection of articles at Gary Yia Lee's website: http://www.garyyialee.com/
and Kao-Ly Yang's trilingual website: http://www.geocities.com/kaoly
I know there are a multitude of resources available, but hopefully these are few of the less obvious ones that people will find useful. A frequently updated list of of the Hmong related websites I find is available at: http://del.icio.us/nfposs/hmong
The REN, Inc. Bookshelf The Refugee Educators' Network makes available several out-of-print titles as part of their library. The variety and rarity of the titles is amazing and the quality of the scans is excellent. Many of the books are standard texts for anyone interested in Hmong studies, although some of the information is outdated. A sample of titles offered as .pdf for download (* marks outstanding titles):
A Life Apart: Viewed from the Hills, Boyes/Priban
Allons Faire le Tour du Ciel et de la Terre: Le Chamanisme des Hmong Vu dans les Textes, Mottin
English-Hmong Primary Word Book (Revised), National Center for materials and Curriculum Development
History of the Hmong, Mottin
The Hmong in the West: Observations and Reports, Downing/Olney
The Hmong in Transition, Hendricks/Downing/Deinard
Hmong Folktales, Johnson
Hmong Recipe
Kr'ua Ke (Showing the Way): A Hmong Initiation of the Dead, White [English translation of Lemoine's French transcription of the Hmong funeral ritual in L'Initation du Mort]
L'Initiation du Mort chez les Hmong, LemoineThe Meo of Xieng Khouan Province, Barney/Halpern
Minority Groups in Northern Laos: Especially the Yao, Iwata
Songs and Stories of the Chu'uan Miao, Graham
The Hmong in the West contains three articles, significant for their contribution to the study of Hmong music in the United States, which began shortly after Hmong immigrants arrived.
"Speech Surrogate Systems of the Hmong: From Singing Voices to Talking Reeds." Amy Catlin
"Aesthetic Language in White Hmong." Brenda Johns and David Strecker
"Some Secret Languages of the Hmong." Maria Derrick-Mescua, Judith Berman, and Mary Beth Carlson.
The Hmong: An Introduction to their History and Culture (2004) A fairly up-to-date and comprehensive introduction to Hmong history, language, and culture produced by the Center for Applied Linguistics. Features multiple authors and input from Dr. Gary Yia Lee and Dr. Martha Ratliff.
Chapters are available online at (links at the top of the page): http://www.cal.org/co/hmong/index.html
The entire booklet can be downloaded as a .pdf: http://www.cal.org/co/hmong/hmong_FIN.pdf
Field Guide to Hmong Culture (2004): written by Dia Cha (PhD, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Ethnic Studies, St. Cloud State University) and produced by the Madison Children's Museum. A booklet aimed a a young audience. Those looking for a general introduction to Hmong traditions (art, folklore, history) may find this to be useful. Includes several pictures.
http://csumc.wisc.edu/cmct/HmongTour/howwedidit/HMONG_FIELD_GUIDE_WEB.pdf
The Hmong World (1986): a fulltext pdf of this important (and out-of-print) volume. Contains oral histories, stories, and scholarly articles.
Link to the page at Yale: http://www.yale.edu/seas
Link to the pdf: http://www.yale.edu/seas
The Hmong Primer (last revised 1999): extensive collection of language learning materials via the Refugee Educator's Network (including a glossary, frequently used word list, and graded Hmong language stories.)
http://www.reninc.org/pages
REN also has a downloadable copy of Grandmother's Way, Grandfather's Path (Yang/Lewis) an outstanding collection of stories and songs in Hmong and English. [One of the sections does not download properly.]
Hmong Visual, Oral, and Social Design: Innovation within a Frame of the Familiar (1993) by Judy Lewis: also hosted by REN, Lewis's masters thesis
La Musique des Hmong (1976) is Eric Mareschal's groundbreaking document on Hmong music practiced in Laos.
Linguist David Mortenson has pdf copies of several unpublished articles about (H)mong language on his academic website (scroll down for the list): http://socrates.berkeley.edu/
Markedness of White Hmong Tones (1996) by Brian McKibben.
Available through via Internet Archive: http://web.archive.org/web
Of course, there is always the extensive collection of articles at Gary Yia Lee's website: http://www.garyyialee.com/
and Kao-Ly Yang's trilingual website: http://www.geocities.com/kaoly
I know there are a multitude of resources available, but hopefully these are few of the less obvious ones that people will find useful. A frequently updated list of of the Hmong related websites I find is available at: http://del.icio.us/nfposs/hmong
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