This series contains alphabetically arranged correspondence files relating to various topics, organizations and individuals on the discipline of linguistics. Also included in this series are files in chronological order in three categories: American linguistics, British (and European) linguistics and Canadian linguistics. Files in this latter category are the most voluminous, containing correspondence with Prof. Chambers from his earliest days at the University of Toronto. Correspondence with American linguists include David Rood, University of Colorado, Robert I. Binnick, University of Kansas, William Labov, Virginia McDavid, Richard Spears, John Baugh among others. British and European correspondents include, among others, Paul Salmon, University Reading, David Britain, Victoria University of Wellington (NZ), Edgar Schneider, Universitat Regensburg and Beat Glauser, Heidelberg. Correspondence with Canadian linguists include colleagues both inside and outside the University of Toronto, and include linguists such as C. Douglas Ellis of McGill University, Harrold Paddock, Memorial University, H.R. Wilson, University of Western Ontario, William Cowan, Carleton University and Gary Prideaux, University of Alberta.
Further records relating to Prof. Chambers’ work in the field of linguistics can be found in file B2019-0038/001(01), which includes some correspondence and ephemera relating to speaking engagements and conferences. Many of the press clippings in files B2019-0038/001(07)-(09) quote Prof. Chambers on the subject of linguistics, demonstrating his role as a regular commentator on this subject, particularly in relation to Canadian English. Similarly, two sound recordings relate to his contributions to the CBC Radio program And Sometimes Y, which explored the cultural and social context of language; another to a talk on language, sex and gender given in Vienna in 2006.
