closure famous department linguistics heard department linguistics school oriental african studies london threatened closure members department heard week previous consultation school funds cut decided cut publications programme linguistics activities department threatened illustrious history first ever chair linguistics britain held soas firth present members department include dr david bennett prof theodora bynon dr wynn chao dr monik charette dr katrina haywood dr dick haywood fba dr hewitt dr bruce ingham prof jonathan kaye prof ruth kempson fba prof emeritus r h robins fba useless stress distinguished department much school primary responsibility study oriental african languages needs department linguistics phonetics letters protest addressed director school oriental african studies thornhaugh street russell square london wc1 england would useful send copies chairman department dr bennett address vice chancellor university london senate house malet street london wc1 england fax number soas is44 71436 3844 anna morpurgo davies