William Leap
Encyclopedia
William Leap also known as Bill Leap is a professor of anthropology at American University
who works in the field of gay and lesbian linguistics.
in 1967 and received his Ph.D. from Southern Methodist University
in 1970. His dissertation advisor was George Trager.
and has been a recipient of the American Anthropological Association
Ruth Benedict
Award for publishing in Gay and Lesbian anthropology in 1996, 2003, and 2009. He founded the annual Lavender Languages & Linguistics conference in 1993 to coincide with the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation
. In 2012, he is launching The Journal of Language and Sexuality with Heiko Moschenbaker. He has been a member of the AAA's AIDS task force. He has done research among Native Americans of the Southwest U.S., South Africans, and Gay men in Washington, DC. He was one of the first researchers to study American Indian Pidgin English
in the same way that others had studied Black English
, and he has been prominent in Indian language revitalization projects.
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
who works in the field of gay and lesbian linguistics.
Education
William Leap earned his bachelor's degree from Florida State UniversityFlorida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
in 1967 and received his Ph.D. from Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
in 1970. His dissertation advisor was George Trager.
Contributions
Leap has been openly gay since he began teaching at American University in Washington, D.C. in 1970. Leap is a leading academic in Lavender linguisticsLavender linguistics
Lavender linguistics is a term used by linguists, most notably William Leap, to describe the study of language used by gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer speakers. It "encompass[es] a wide range of everyday language practices" in LGBTQ communities. The term derives from the longterm...
and has been a recipient of the American Anthropological Association
American Anthropological Association
The American Anthropological Association is a professional organization of scholars and practitioners in the field of anthropology. With 11,000 members, the Arlington, Virginia based association includes archaeologists, cultural anthropologists, biological anthropologists, linguistic...
Ruth Benedict
Ruth Benedict
Ruth Benedict was an American anthropologist, cultural relativist, and folklorist....
Award for publishing in Gay and Lesbian anthropology in 1996, 2003, and 2009. He founded the annual Lavender Languages & Linguistics conference in 1993 to coincide with the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation
March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation
The March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation was a large political rally that took place in Washington, D.C. on April 25, 1993...
. In 2012, he is launching The Journal of Language and Sexuality with Heiko Moschenbaker. He has been a member of the AAA's AIDS task force. He has done research among Native Americans of the Southwest U.S., South Africans, and Gay men in Washington, DC. He was one of the first researchers to study American Indian Pidgin English
American Indian Pidgin English
American Indian Pidgin English - is an English-based pidgin spoken by Native Americans. It is mentioned in World Englishes, by Andy Kirkpatrick as one of many factors influencing American English....
in the same way that others had studied Black English
Black English
Black English is a term used for both dialects of English and English-based pidgins and creoles, and whose meaning depends considerably upon the context, and particularly the part of the world.-Africa:*Aku *Cameroon English...
, and he has been prominent in Indian language revitalization projects.
External links
- Profile at American University
- Leap interviewed in "Gay Talk" on And Sometimes Y, 19:05-25:41 on CBC RadioCBC RadioCBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
, September 2007