Babel is published every once-in-a-while by the Worldwide Linguistic Society, which is not a subsidiary of Amway Enterprises. Copies of Babel are available from distribution agents around the world, many of whom have never been convicted of a major felony. For more information about Babel, write to the Editor-in-Chief, Tim Pulju, at this address: Dept. of Linguistics and Semiotics; Rice University; P.O. Box 1892; Houston, TX 77251.

Babel actively encourages submissions on any linguistic or quasi-linguistic topic. Submissions (which need not be articles—poems, cartoons, etc, are acceptable) should be short (preferably one page, at most no more than three) and brilliant. We adhere to no theoretical or atheoretical bias, since we are only interested in the general advancement of the frontiers of linguistic knowledge. The current number’s articles are cases in point: we have published works, which, far from trying to defend any old and discredited arbitrary frameworks, instead make significant contributions to our store of linguistic knowledge. We are especially proud of Professor Diaz’ article, to which we have given pride of place, since it reports such an earthshattering discovery. We might point out that the typical journal would have been too timid to publish such an article without verifying its author’s claims, and so would have missed out on the greatest linguistic story of the decade. You’ll find no such chicken-livered mama’s boys here.

Upon the request of Javier Perez de Cuellar, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Babel will devote the rest of this space to publicizing the upcoming International Linguistics Week. Sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO—not to be confused with UNICEF, which is something else entirely, nor with UNITA, which is also different), this weeklong event will celebrate the contributions of linguistics to modern society. Local celebrations will be held all over the world, but the main festivities, as always, will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You are all invited to attend: UNESCO hopes to break last year’s record of 281,971 linguists in attendance, plus families and friends. The party will begin on Monday with the traditional Parade of Linguists, in which linguists of different theoretical traditions display their grammars in a simultaneous display of unity and diversity. Tuesday’s highlight will be the ritual sacrifice of the simulacrum of Miss Fidditch, followed by a sauerkraut picnic at Dave’s house. Wednesday, of course, is the bonfire, Thursday the opera, and Friday the hayride. Needless to say, throughout the week there will be numerous other planned and spontaneous activities, plus vendors, street theater, and gunfights. It promises to be a blast.

Anyone with questions about International Linguistics Week may direct them to this office, or to Mr. Perez de Cuellar himself, who has assured us that he will respond. Questions about Babel should of course be sent only to us.

[SpecGram editor’s note: Though Babel is no longer accepting submissions, submissions which would have been appropriate for Babel are also appropriate for Speculative Grammarian, and are welcome. See our submissions page for more details.]

	Our Readers Mouth Off—Letters to the Editor
	Babel Vol I, No 2 Contents