"Verbal Montage" to Integrate Performance of Native Languages with Exhibition of Graphic Art

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo will present Dennis Tedlock's performance of "Verbal Montage: Transcriptions and Translations from Native American Languages" on Nov. 11 as part of the fall 2009 Poetics Plus series.

Tedlock is a founding member of the UB Poetics Program, where he holds the James H. McNulty Chair. He is also a SUNY Distinguished Professor in the Department of English and research professor of anthropology.

Internationally renowned for his work as an anthropologist and linguist specializing in the field of ethnopoetics, Tedlock's scholarship emphasizes deep knowledge of cultures beyond that which can be merely analyzed, transcribed or translated. In order to create one of his first works, "Popul Vuh,"a retranslation of the original 16th century Mayan text, Tedlock immersed himself in the culture he was studying. He learned the Quiche Maya language, working directly with Mayans and as an apprentice to a native spiritual leader.

In Tedlock's performance, the audience will hear the sound of indigenous American languages, including Zuni (New Mexico), K'iche' Maya (Guatemala) and Ch'ol (ancient Maya), as well as see experimental transcriptions of oral performances, images of ancient Mayan hieroglyphic texts and experimental translations of the hieroglyphs.

"Verbal Montage" has also been performed in the Meridian Gallery in San Francisco and in the City University of New York Graduate Center.

The performance will take place at 3:30 p.m. in the Poetry Collection, 420 Capen Hall on UB's North Campus. The performance is free and open to the public. In addition, graphic art on exhibition as part of the performance will be for sale; all proceeds will benefit the Poetry Collection.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.