Andrew Abdalian

Andrew Abdalian

Linguist

Biography

I am a linguist working on building a complete corpus of Tunica language documentation for use in a collaborative language revitalization initiative with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. My research revolves around language revitalization, language change, language documentation, and the creation and use of digital tools for language learning and analysis.

Interests
  • Language revitalization
  • Language change
  • Digital pedagogy
Education
  • PhD in Linguistics, 2023

    Tulane University

  • MA in Linguistics, 2019

    Tulane University

  • BA in Linguistics, 2006

    Swarthmore College

Other Publications

(2024). Alleviating Authenticity Concerns in Tunica Language Reclamation. Proceedings of the 39th West Coast Conference on Formal Linguistics.

PDF Cite Project Poster

(2023). Tunica at dusk and dawn: Language change in obsolescence and revival. Ph.D. diss., Tulane University.

Cite Project URL

(2019). Backhowsa. 64 Parishes.

Cite URL

(2019). Language Use in Post-Colonial & Transnational Contexts. Fleur de Ling, Vol. 4. MIT Working Papers in Linguistics.

Cite

Recent talks

Linguistic aspects of language obsolescence

Experience

 
 
 
 
 
American Philosophical Society
Mellon Foundation Native American Scholars Initiative (NASI) Postdoctoral Fellow
August 2024 – August 2025 Philadephia, Pennsylvania
  • Parsed Tunica texts to create a corpus for analysis
  • Researched multiple archives to find more language information about Tunica
  • Worked with digital projects team to create a prototype of a web-based tool for Tunica text analysis
 
 
 
 
 
BOLD
Data Annotator
August 2023 – July 2024
  • Analyzed and tagged data for a resume and job-matching project
 
 
 
 
 
celi, s.r.l. (now part of MAIZE)
English Linguistic Consultant
celi, s.r.l. (now part of MAIZE)
September 2018 – April 2019 Torino, Italy
  • Analyzed and tagged data for a Natural Language Understanding project
 
 
 
 
 
Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana
Linguist
September 2017 – August 2018 Marksville, Louisiana
  • Codeveloped language teaching curriculum
  • Taught Tunica language classes
  • Helped develop a successful grant plan for a mentor-apprentice program to teach Tunica-Biloxi adults the Tunica language
  • Helped organize the Tunica-Biloxi Language and Culture Summer Camp
  • Promoted the learning and use of the Tunica language in the Tunica-Biloxi community
  • Created Tunica language pedagogical materials
  • Prepared Tunica language-learning curricula for both children and adults
  • Oversaw the online publication of the Tunica language dictionary
  • Presented on the Tunica language both within and outside of the local community
  • Led meetings and set agenda for a volunteer team of 15
  • Cowrote a successful grant plan for a Tunica language mentor-apprentice program
 
 
 
 
 
George Mason University
IT Analyst
October 2008 – August 2015 Fairfax, Virginia
  • Managed and maintained Linux-based departmental file, email, print and web servers serving hundreds of faculty, staff, and graduate students
  • Implemented department’s IT ticketing system and procedures
  • Created bespoke web applications for course scheduling and teaching contracts
  • Generated guides for both support staff and clients
  • Extensively edited content and design of departmental website
 
 
 
 
 
Apple
Genius
January 2007 – September 2008 McLean, Virginia
  • Performed troubleshooting and hardware repair on a variety of Apple products

Skills

R
Python
latex
LaTeX
elan
ELAN
Praat
Praat
SQL

Contact

You can contact me using this form.