Julie Brittain
- Honorary Research Professor, Professor Emerita
- M.A. Hons, Glasgow
- M.A., Ph.D., Memorial
Research Interests
- Morphology/syntax
- L1 acquisition (see the Chisasibi Child Language Acquisition Study CCLAS)
- Algonquian languages, especially dialects of Cree-Innu-Naskapi of Québec and Labrador
- Tibetan
- Causes and effects of language decline/loss
- Language maintenance/revitalization strategies
- Oral literature in Algonquian languages, and their translation into English
Publications
Selected Publications (Updated May, 2024)
- 2023. Henke, Ryan, Julie Brittain, Kamil U. Deen & Sara Acton. The acquisition of the passive voice in Northern East Cree. First Language 44(1), 44-73. DOI 10.1177/01427237231198758
- 2022. Henke, Ryan E., & Julie Brittain. Obviative demonstratives in Northern East Cree: Insights from child-directed speech. International Journal of American Linguistics 88(1), 53–93. doi.org/10.1086/717057.
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2022. Rose Yvan, & Julie Brittain. Managing Phonological Development Data within PhonBank: The Chisasibi Child Language Acquisition Study. In The Open Handbook of Linguistic Data Management. Edited by Andrea L. Berez-Kroeker, Bradley McDonnell, Eve Koller & Lauren B. Collister. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press Open. Chapter 32, 391-400.
- 2021. Brittain, Julie, & Yvan Rose. The development of preverbs in Northern East Cree: A longitudinal case study. First Language 41(4), 376-405. DOI: 10.1177/0142723720969257
- 2016. Brittain, Julie & Marguerite MacKenzie. Language endangerment and revitalization strategies. In The Routledge Handbook of Linguistic Anthropology (edited by Nancy Bonillain). New York: Routledge. pp. 433-446.
- 2014. Brittain, Julie & Sara Acton. The lexicon-syntax interface: Root semantics as an indirect determinant of intransitive verb syntax in Cree. International Journal of American Linguistics 80:4, pp. 475-506.
- 2014. Brittain, Julie (May 30). Resonance Screening Tool for speakers of Northern East Cree. (web document, no longer posted)
- 2014. Brittain, Julie. Root semantics as a determinant of syntactic representation: Evidence from Cree-Montagnais Naskapi. In Papers of the 42nd Algonquian Conference, Monica Macaulay & J. Rand Valentine (eds). Albany, NY: SUNY Press, pp. 34-55. eBook
- Brittain, Julie & Wayne O'Neil. 2012. Linguistics and Ideology: A reply to Mellow 2010. Accepted for publication by Native Studies Review, University of Saskachewan, December 17, 2012.
- 2012. Junker, Marie-Odile, Marguerite MacKenzie & Julie Brittain. Comparative Structures of East Cree and English. http://www.eastcree.org/cree/en/resources/teachers-corner
- 2011. Rose, Yvan & Julie Brittain. Grammar Matters: Evidence from Phonological and Morphological Development in Northern East Cree. In Proceedings of the 4th Conference on Generative Approaches to Language Acquisition in North America (GALANA), Mihaela Pirvulescu (ed). Somerville, MA: Cascadilla Press, pp. 193-208. download paper
- 2010. Rose, Yvan, Julie Brittain, Carrie Dyck & Erin Swain. The Acquisition of Metrical Opacity: A Longitudinal Case Study from Northern East Cree. In Proceedings of the 34th Annual Boston University Conference on Language Development (volume 2), Katie Franich, Kate M. Iserman & Lauren L. Keil (eds). Somerville, MA: Cascadilla Press, pp. 339-350. download paper
- 2001. Brittain, Julie. The Morphosyntax of the Algonquian Conjunct Verb: A Minimalist Approach. New York: Garland (Routledge). Ebook (2013, New York: Routledge) doi.org/10.4324/9781315054841
- 2000. Brittain, Julie. A metrical analysis of Southern East Cree. International Journal of American Linguistics 66(2), pp. 181–217. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/466417
Interview
- 2015. Debbie Folaron discusses the role of language and translation in endangered Aboriginal communities (Cree, Naskapi, Innu) with Julie Brittain and Marguerite MacKenzie. Journal of Specialized Translation 24 pp. 2-15.
Commentary/Translation
- 2014. Brittain, Julie, Marguerite MacKenzie, Alma Chemaganish & Silas Nabinicaboo. Umaayichiis. In Sky Loom: Native American Myth, Story, Song (edited by Brian Swann). University of Nebraska Press, 379-398. http://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/product/Sky-Loom,675949.aspx
- 2011. Brittain, Julie & Marguerite MacKenzie. Translating Algonquian Oral texts. In Born in the Blood: On Native American Translation, Brian Swann (ed), Native Literature of the Americas Series. University of Nebraska Press, 242-74.
- 2005. Brittain, Julie & Marguerite MacKenzie, with Alma Chemaganish, Philip Einish and Silas Nabinicaboo. Two Quebec Naskapi stories narrated by John Peastitute: ‘Wolverine and the Ducks’ and ‘Wolverine and the Geese’. In Algonquian Spirit: Contemporary Translations of the Algonquian Literatures of North America, edited by Brian Swann. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 121-58.
- 2004. Brittain, Julie & Marguerite MacKenzie. Umayichîs. In Voices from Four Directions: Contemporary Translations of the Native Literatures of North America, edited by Brian Swann. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 572-90.
Stories told by Naskapi Elder John Peastitute/Translation
- 2021. Peastitute, John. Châhkâpâs: A Naskapi Legend. Translated by Julie Brittain & Silas Nabinicaboo, edited by Marguerite MacKenzie, with contributions by Bill Jancewicz. First Nations Language Readers Series (Naskapi). University of Regina Press. (available here)
- 2021. Peastitute, John. Ka-nutachikwayan: When I hunted otters and other stories. Translated by Julie Brittain & Silas Nabinicaboo, edited by Marguerite MacKenzie, with contributions by Bill Jancewicz. Lulu.com: Naskapi Development Corporation. (available here)
- 2017 Peastitute, John. Caught in a blizzard and other stories. Translated by Julie Brittain & Silas Nabinicaboo, edited by Marguerite MacKenzie, with contributions by Bill Jancewicz. Lulu.com: Naskapi Development Corporation. (available here)
- 2016. Peastitute, John. Misti-Michisuw: The Giant Eagle and other stories. Translated by Julie Brittain & Silas Nabinicaboo, edited by Marguerite MacKenzie, with contributions by Bill Jancewicz. Lulu.com: Naskapi Development Corporation. (available here)
- 2016. Peastitute, John. Umayichis: A Naskapi Legend (for older readers). Translated by Julie Brittain & Silas Nabinicaboo, edited by Marguerite MacKenzie, with contributions by Bill Jancewicz. Lulu.com: Naskapi Development Corporation. (available here)
- 2015. Peastitute, John. Umayichis: A Naskapi Legend (for younger readers). Translated by Julie Brittain & Silas Nabinicaboo, edited by Marguerite MacKenzie, with contributions by Bill Jancewicz. Lulu.com: Naskapi Development Corporation. (available here)
- 2014. Peastitute, John. Achan: Naskapi Giant Stories. Translated by Julie Brittain & Silas Nabinicaboo, edited by Marguerite MacKenzie, with contributions by Bill Jancewicz. Lulu.com: Naskapi Development Corporation. (available here)
- 2014. Peastitute, John. The Dancing Ants: A Naskapi Legend. Translated by Julie Brittain & Silas Nabinicaboo, edited by Marguerite MacKenzie, with contributions by Bill Jancewicz. Lulu.com: Naskapi Development Corporation. (available here)
- 2013. Peastitute, John. Chahkapas: A Naskapi Legend. Translated by Julie Brittain & Silas Nabinicaboo, edited by Marguerite MacKenzie, with contributions by Bill Jancewicz. Lulu.com: Naskapi Development Corporation. (available here)
- 2013. Peastitute, John. Kuihkwahchaw: Naskapi Wolverine Stories. Translated by Julie Brittain & Silas Nabinicaboo, edited by Marguerite MacKenzie, with contributions by Bill Jancewicz. Lulu.com: Naskapi Development Corporation. (available here)