Life in a Tumble Dryer

Auteur

Leoma was born and raised in Chattanooga, TN, as an only child. Her father was a gifted storyteller, and she inherited that gift and continues to develop it. She obtained her BS in speech and language pathology from the University of Tennessee and worked for several years as a speech therapist. She then studied for her MA in the same field and worked in a speech and hearing clinic in Macon, GA. In 1988, she earned a PhD in Linguistics from the University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies.

Texte du rabat

In 1989, linguist Leoma Gilley and her colleague Janice moved to Khartoum - the world's hottest capital - to improve the Shilluk writing system. Linguists have struggled since 1912 to develop an adequate writing system for the Shilluk people of southern Sudan. This language issue helped spark a 21-year civil war, driving many Shilluks to seek refuge in Khartoum, Sudan's capital. Moving on from her first adventure in Launching into the Unknown, Leoma continues on in Sudan's capital, each day brining a new challenge or celebration. Including: bureaucratic red tape successful workshops cultural misunderstandings enjoying unexpected friendships over plates of fuul swirling dust storms finding humor in the challenge of keeping electronics sand-free blistering heat Will they convince the Shilluk people to embrace a new spelling system? Can they overcome government restrictions to continue their vital work?