GREAT BAY:--- The book Language, Culture, and Identity in St. Martin by Rhoda Arrindell was launched recently in Costa Rica at the Caribbean cultures conference, said University of Puerto Rico professor Dr. Danabang Kuwabong.
Dr. Arrindell's paper, titled after her new book, was also delivered at the 17th annual Eastern Caribbean Island Cultures Conference in the Central American city of Limon, at the University of Costa Rica, November 6-8, 2014.
"The launch went very well, and I also read Rhoda's paper, which was well received," said Prof. Kuwabong. Arrindell and her publisher HNP worked closely with Kuwabong for a St. Martin presence at the regional conference but the author was unable to attend.
"Dr. Kuwabong was the practical godfather of the St. Martin presence at the Caribbean cultures conference," said Jacqueline Sample, president of House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP).
"In Dr. Arrindell's absence the professor personally presented the new book to fellow scholars and guests during the book launch ceremony on Friday. On Saturday morning he took charge of reading Rhoda's scholarly paper on the 'Language Maintenance in the Caribbean' panel," said Sample.
Language, Culture, and Identity in St. Martin is the newest study, with a strong research base, of St. Martin's language history and current developments. Arrindell opens the book writing about the island's sociohistorical background and concludes with the chapter entitled "Toward a National Identity."
The book is available at Van Dorp, Arnia's, Shipwreck, Amazon.com, and SPDbooks.org bookstores. In the Netherlands Dr. Arrindell's title is available at bookishplaza.com.
The 17th annual Eastern Caribbean Island Cultures Conference was organized by the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, University of the West Indies-Cave Hill, Virgin Islands Caribbean Cultural Center, and the University of Costa Rica (Cátedra de Estudios de África y el Caribe y la Sede Regional del Caribe).
