P.O. Box 2173
Alameda, CA 94501 USA
510-534-0614
joe@devney.com

 
Linguistic Consultant  
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Presentations Available

The following presentations explain aspects of Linguistics to different audiences.

  • Forensic Linguistics: Real-Life “CSI” with Word People. An introduction to linguistic analysis of criminally oriented communications for non-specialist audiences. Includes examples from actual cases, and lots of audience participation. Approximately 90 minutes, including questions and answers at the end.
  • What's Wrong with Jury Instructions? An explanation of the ways in which jury instructions can fail to serve the cause of justice due to a lack of understanding of communication issues by the drafters. Jury instructions for death penalty trials in California are used for illustration. Approximately 30 minutes.
  • Language and Law. An overview of the many ways that linguists can offer valuable information on civil and criminal cases.
  • Linguistics for Lawyers. A class that gives the audience an introduction to linguistics and its subdisciplines, with possible applications in the practice of law. One day (six class hours).
  • Managing Multiple Information Channels: Strategies for Effective Presentations. This hour-long presentation is focused not narrowly on linguistics, but more broadly on communication skills. It was designed for people who need to make presentations in business or academic settings, and explains the strengths and weaknesses of the different information channels available to the speaker: voice, slides, paper handouts, etc.
 
 
 


Audience Responses
Managing Multiple Information Channels. "Joe's presentation on Managing Multiple Information Channels was very informative. As a person who has to make frequent presentations, I have found the tips Joe provided extremely helpful and practical. I have noticed that my communication with the audience has improved significantly and that I am much more aware of how well I am utilizing the information channels available to me." (Maia Henley, Georgetown University)

Forensic Linguistics. "Your presentation was an enlightening and entertaining glimpse at forensic linguistics. I particularly enjoyed playing the forensic investigator in your captivating audience participation activities." (Tonie Flores, VP Programs, Berkeley chapter, Society for Technical Communication)

"What an excellent presentation you gave!...You are an excellent speaker, clear, organized and good at getting the audience involved." (JK Mueller)

"Thank you so much for speaking to our group! I had quite a few people comment to me afterwards about how much they enjoyed it. The chapter meeting evaluation form reflects that:
Speaker Eval: 71% Outstanding, 28% Very good; Topic Eval: 79% Outstanding, 21% Very Good." (Jan Kruse, Program Manager, Phoenix chapter, Society for Technical Communication)