(Note: May, the month in which Goodspeed Day is celebrated, by recently
established tradition, can be seen from the following to be a linguistical-y
auspicious month)
May 2, 1919.
Baudouin de Courtenay concedes defeat in his bid for the
presidency of Poland.
May 3, 1955.
Mouton & Co. discover how American libraries order
books and scheme to cash in by starting several series of books on limericks. The
person given charge of this project mishears and starts several series of books
on linguistics. No one ever notices the mistake.
May 5, 1403.
The Great English Vowel Shift begins. Giles of Tottenham
calls for ale at his favorite pub and is perplexed when the barmaid tells him
that the fishmonger is next door.
May 6, 1939.
The University of Chicago trades Leonard Bloomfield to Yale
University for two janitors and an undisclosed number of concrete gargoyles.
May 7, 1966.
r-less pronunciation is observed in eight kindergarten
pupils in Secaucus, N.J. The governor of New Jersey stations National Guardsmen
along the banks of the Hudson.
May 9, 1917.
N. Ja. Marr discovers ROSH, the missing link for Japhetic
unity.
May 11, 1032.
Holy Roman Emperor Conrad II orders isoglosses erected
across northern Germany as a defense against Viking intruders.
May 12, 1965.
Sydney Lamb announces discovery of the hypersememic
stratum, setting off a wave of selling on the NYSE.
May 13.
Vowel Day. (Public holiday in Kabardian Autonomous Region). The
ceremonial vowel is pronounced by all Kabardians as a symbol of brotherhood with
all speakers of human languages.
May 14, 519 B.C.
Birth of Paṇini.
May 15, 1964.
J. Katz and J. Fodor are separated in 5-hour surgery from
which neither recovers.
May 17, 1966.
J. R. Ross tells a clean joke.
May 18, 1941.
Quang Phúc Ðông is captured by the Japanese and interned
for the duration of hostilities.
May 19.
Diphthong Day. (Public holiday in Australia)
May 20, 473 B.C.
Publisher returns to Paṇini a manuscript entitled
Ṣaptadhyayi with a note requesting the addition of a chapter on phonology.
Paṇini begins struggling to meet the publisher's deadline.
May 21, 1962.
First mention of The Sound Pattern of English as 'in
press'.
May 23, 38,471 B.C.
God creates language.
May 26, 1945.
Zellig Harris applies his newly formulated discovery
procedures and discovers [t].
May 27, 1969.
George Lakoff discovers the global rule. Supermarkets in
Cambridge, Mass. are struck by frenzied buying of canned goods.
May 29, 1962.
Angular brackets are discovered. Classes at M.I.T. are
dismissed and much Latvian plum brandy is consumed.
May 30, 1939.
Charles F. Hockett finishes composing the music for the
Linguistic Society of America's anthem, 'Can You Hear the Difference?'
May 31, 1952.
Chomsky discovers Affix-Hopping and is reprimanded by his
father for discovering rules on Shabes.
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