Byron W. Bender
Encyclopedia
Byron W. Bender is an emeritus professor of linguistics
at the University of Hawaii
specializing in Micronesian languages
, primarily Marshallese
, and Oceanic languages more generally. He joined the Department of Linguistics in 1965, serving as its chair (1969–1995) and as editor of its journal Oceanic Linguistics
(1991–2007). He also served the University as president of its faculty union (1983–1988) and as a member of the Board of Regents
(2003–present).
Born in Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania
, Bender received a B.A.
in English from Goshen College
in Indiana
in 1949, and an M.A.
in linguistics from Indiana University
in 1950. After spending 1953–1959 teaching in the Marshall Islands
in what was then the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
under U.S. administration, he returned to teach linguistics and anthropology at Goshen College in 1960–1962 before completing a Ph.D.
in linguistics from Indiana University in 1963. His dissertation analyzed Marshallese place names. In 1962–1964, he served as English Program Supervisor for the Trust Territory, then taught English at the University of Hawaii before joining the Department of Linguistics.
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
at the University of Hawaii
University of Hawaii
The University of Hawaii System, formally the University of Hawaii and popularly known as UH, is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment...
specializing in Micronesian languages
Micronesian languages
The family of Micronesian languages is a branch of the Oceanic languages. It consists of twenty languages, the nineteen Micronesian Proper languages and Nauruan...
, primarily Marshallese
Marshallese language
The Marshallese language is a Malayo-Polynesian language of the Marshall Islands, and the principal language of the country...
, and Oceanic languages more generally. He joined the Department of Linguistics in 1965, serving as its chair (1969–1995) and as editor of its journal Oceanic Linguistics
Oceanic Linguistics
Oceanic Linguistics is an international academic journal devoted to the study of the thousand-odd indigenous languages of the Oceanic area and parts of Southeast Asia, including the aboriginal languages of Australia, the Papuan languages of New Guinea, and the languages of the Austronesian family...
(1991–2007). He also served the University as president of its faculty union (1983–1988) and as a member of the Board of Regents
Board of Regents
In the United States, a board often governs public institutions of higher education, which include both state universities and community colleges. In each US state, such boards may govern either the state university system, individual colleges and universities, or both. In general they operate as...
(2003–present).
Born in Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania
Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania
Roaring Spring in Morrisons Cove, is a borough Blair County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,418 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Altoona, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area-History:...
, Bender received a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in English from Goshen College
Goshen College
Goshen College, is a private Mennonite liberal arts college in Goshen, Indiana, USA with an enrollment of around 1,000 students. The college is accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities...
in Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
in 1949, and an M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in linguistics from Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
in 1950. After spending 1953–1959 teaching in the Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
in what was then the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
The Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands was a United Nations trust territory in Micronesia administered by the United States from 1947 to 1986.-History:...
under U.S. administration, he returned to teach linguistics and anthropology at Goshen College in 1960–1962 before completing a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in linguistics from Indiana University in 1963. His dissertation analyzed Marshallese place names. In 1962–1964, he served as English Program Supervisor for the Trust Territory, then taught English at the University of Hawaii before joining the Department of Linguistics.