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Language Development and Language Revitalization in Asia1
Language development and language revitalization in Asia1 Suwilai Premsrirat Institute of Language and Culture for Rural Development, Mahidol University—Salaya (Thailand Dennis Malone SIL International—Asia Abstract Language revitalization and minority language education programs face serious obstacles when the minority language has not yet been developed beyond its traditional oral state. Language development activities, therefore, must precede and contribute to the literacy and mother tongue education components of a language revitalization program. The minority community faces a serious challenge when, for example, no writing system exists for the ethnic language, or when, for whatever reasons, an existing writing system is no longer appropriate for the language. However, practitioners in applied linguistics and minority language education are developing participatory ways of assisting such communities in the process of language development. These include collaborations in designing or revising appropriate writing systems for the languages and for promoting mother tongue literature. This paper presents, in two parts, (I) an overview of language development efforts around the world, emphasizing the interactive aspects of language development and the facilitation of minority language literature development; and (II) a description of the Chong language development and language revitalization project in Thailand. Part I. Language development and language revitalization around the world The world’s linguistic diversity is under siege. That is certain. Whether the numbers are linguist Michael Krauss’s vision of catastrophic loss at 90 percent or some of the more optimistic projections that see “only” half of the world’s language dead or dying by the end of the century, no one is suggesting that the danger is a hoax. -
Machine Translation for Language Preservation
Machine translation for language preservation Steven BIRD1,2 David CHIANG3 (1) Department of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne (2) Linguistic Data Consortium, University of Pennsylvania (3) Information Sciences Institute, University of Southern California [email protected], [email protected] ABSTRACT Statistical machine translation has been remarkably successful for the world’s well-resourced languages, and much effort is focussed on creating and exploiting rich resources such as treebanks and wordnets. Machine translation can also support the urgent task of document- ing the world’s endangered languages. The primary object of statistical translation models, bilingual aligned text, closely coincides with interlinear text, the primary artefact collected in documentary linguistics. It ought to be possible to exploit this similarity in order to improve the quantity and quality of documentation for a language. Yet there are many technical and logistical problems to be addressed, starting with the problem that – for most of the languages in question – no texts or lexicons exist. In this position paper, we examine these challenges, and report on a data collection effort involving 15 endangered languages spoken in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. KEYWORDS: endangered languages, documentary linguistics, language resources, bilingual texts, comparative lexicons. Proceedings of COLING 2012: Posters, pages 125–134, COLING 2012, Mumbai, December 2012. 125 1 Introduction Most of the world’s 6800 languages are relatively unstudied, even though they are no less im- portant for scientific investigation than major world languages. For example, before Hixkaryana (Carib, Brazil) was discovered to have object-verb-subject word order, it was assumed that this word order was not possible in a human language, and that some principle of universal grammar must exist to account for this systematic gap (Derbyshire, 1977). -
Increasing Cultural Compatibility for Native American Communities
View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by ScholarSpace at University of Hawai'i at Manoa Vol. 10 (2016), pp. 458–479 http://nflrc.hawaii.edu/ldc http://hdl.handle.net/10125/24715 Revised Version Received: 2 May 2016 Series: Emergent Use and Conceptualization of Language Archives Michael Alvarez Shepard, Gary Holton & Ryan Henke (eds.) The Value-Added Language Archive: Increasing Cultural Compatibility for Native American Communities Michael Alvarez Shepard Goucher College Language archives represent a complicated theoretical and practical site of con- vergence for Native American language communities. In this article, I explore how functionality and operation of language archives are misaligned with core sociopolitical priorities for Native American tribes. In particular, I consider how the concept of cultural and political self-determination contextualizes lack of use or resistance to participation in language archiving projects. In addition to critical evaluation, I envision a dramatically expanded role for language archives, with the goal of increasing their cultural and political compatibility for Native American groups and beyond. I use the term, ‘value-added language archive’ to describe an archive with features and support services that address emergent needs of a diverse stakeholder community. 1. Introduction1 The archive as an institution occupies a contested discourse for scholars and members of Native language origin communities alike (Manoff 2004; Mawani 2012). Etymology of the term ‘archive’ stems from a Greek word meaning a place of convergence, where things commence and where authority is commanded (Derrida 1995). Modern archives, including those specific to Native languages, area convergence of power and possibility. -
Indigenous and Regional Language Preservation in the U.S. and France By: Aurora Margarita-Goldkamp
Indigenous and Regional Language Preservation in the U.S. and France By: Aurora Margarita-Goldkamp Aurora Margarita - Goldkamp COMPARATIVE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION November 23, 2014, Monterey Institute of International Studies Aurora Margarita-Goldkamp FRANCE & US LANGUAGE PRESERVATION Personal Note What if the phrase “I love you” was outlawed? Tammy De Couteau, Director of the Association of American Indian Affairs’ Native Language Program asked this question in 2004 in the Tribal College Journal. This analogy made perfect sense to her audience of self-identified American Indians whose families have lived through a history of systematic language repression. The Dakotah language presents an example of language loss; “mitakuy owasin” is now translated as “all my relatives” to those who do not understand the language very well. Yet to native speakers, this phrase actually literally represents a lost way of acknowledging that every pebble and blade of grass in the universe is a relative (AAIA). A threat much worse than losing a single meaning is the loss of a whole language. As a child, I created my own languages, so I cannot picture a world where a child is beaten for speaking its native tongue; a tongue that holds secrets, meanings, and perspectives that should be treasured and taught to others. Yet, I live in a country that has historically oppressed many cultures’ ways and tongues. When I taught English in France, I was introduced to the uncomfortable idea that I was perpetuating a lingua franca instead of revitalizing endangered tongues that are native to France. The need to research the history and recent preservation efforts of indigenous and regional languages in both the U.S. -
A Brief History of Archiving in Language Documentation, with an Annotated Bibliography
Vol. 10 (2016), pp. 411–457 http://nflrc.hawaii.edu/ldc http://hdl.handle.net/10125/24714 Revised Version Received: 19 April 2016 Series: Emergent Use and Conceptualization of Language Archives Michael Alvarez Shepard, Gary Holton & Ryan Henke (eds.) A Brief History of Archiving in Language Documentation, with an Annotated Bibliography Ryan E. Henke University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Andrea L. Berez-Kroeker University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa We survey the history of practices, theories, and trends in archiving for the pur- poses of language documentation and endangered language conservation. We identify four major periods in the history of such archiving. First, a period from before the time of Boas and Sapir until the early 1990s, in which analog materials were collected and deposited into physical repositories that were not easily acces- sible to many researchers or speaker communities. A second period began in the 1990s, when increased attention to language endangerment and the development of modern documentary linguistics engendered a renewed and redefined focus on archiving and an embrace of digital technology. A third period took shape in the early twenty-first century, where technological advancements and efforts to develop standards of practice met with important critiques. Finally, in the cur- rent period, conversations have arisen toward participatory models for archiving, which break traditional boundaries to expand the audiences and uses for archives while involving speaker communities directly in the archival process. Following the article, we provide an annotated bibliography of 85 publications from the literature surrounding archiving in documentary linguistics. This bibliography contains cornerstone contributions to theory and practice, and it also includes pieces that embody conversations representative of particular historical periods. -
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The Carl Beck Papers in Russian & Zdeněk V. David East European Studies Johann Gottfried Herder Number 1807 and the Czech National Awakening: A Reassessment The Carl Beck Papers in Russian & East European Studies Number 1807 Zdeněk V. David Johann Gottfried Herder and the Czech National Awakening: A Reassessment Zdeněk V. David is a Senior Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, D.C., where he previously served as Librarian. Educated as a historian (Ph.D. Harvard 1960) he had also taught Russian and East European history at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and Princeton. His book, Finding the Middle Way: The Utraquists’ Liberal Challenge to Rome and Luther was published in 2003. A Czech translation is now under preparation. With the late Robert Kann he is coauthor of the Peoples of the Eastern Habsburg Lands, 1526–1918 (1984). In addition, David has published articles on the history of Utraquism, the Jews in Czech historiography, and the philosophy of Thomas G. Masaryk. Currently, he is preparing a book on the philosophical and religious sources of the National Awakening in Bohemia, 1773–1848. No. 1807, September 2007 © 2007 by The Center for Russian and East European Studies, a program of the University Center for International Studies, University of Pittsburgh ISSN 0889-275X Image from cover: Johann Gottfried Herder by F. Tischbein. License: public domain. The Carl Beck Papers Editors: William Chase, Bob Donnorummo, Ronald H. Linden Managing Editor: Eileen O’Malley Editorial Assistant: Vera Dorosh Sebulsky Submissions to The Carl Beck Papers are welcome. Manuscripts must be in English, double-spaced throughout, and between 40 and 90 pages in length. -
Language Preservation and Development: the Role of the Library
Journal of Library and Information Sciences Vol. 2, No. 1; March 2014 23 Language Preservation and Development: The Role of the Library Olaifa, Taye Paul1 Abstracts Language is an extremely important tool in any society. Its’ indispensability nature always necessitates the continuous development. Apart from using language for communication, language is also used for education. In fact, without language, there is no education. A library is one of the tools that thus preserves and keep language for education. The objective of this paper is to examine the role libraries play in the preservation and development of languages in any society. This paper explains how the library functions as “language bank” by preserving the linguistically documented/recorded information, ideas, history etc. The paper laid much emphasis on the crucial roles of libraries in preserving languages, especially the endangered ones. Keywords: Library, Language, Language preservation, Endangered Languages 1. Introduction Language is an indispensable tool for human communication and national development. There is hardly any human activity that does not make use of language. There can never be development in a society without language. Language is the key sustenance of both the society and the people. This is further affirmed by Eva Engholm as sited in Nwadike (2003:13) that: Language is the key to the heart of the people. If we lose the key, we lose the people. If we treasure the key and keep it safe, it will unlock the door to untold riches, riches that cannot be guessed it from the other side of the door. Language in any human society is expected to be preserved and rated with the highest priority and attention from both the government and individuals. -
The Intergenerational Transmission of Catalan in Alghero Chessa, Enrico
Another case of language death? The intergenerational transmission of Catalan in Alghero Chessa, Enrico For additional information about this publication click this link. http://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/jspui/handle/123456789/2502 Information about this research object was correct at the time of download; we occasionally make corrections to records, please therefore check the published record when citing. For more information contact [email protected] Another case of language death? The intergenerational transmission of Catalan in Alghero Enrico Chessa Thesis submitted for the qualification of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Queen Mary, University of London 2011 1 The work presented in this thesis is the candidate’s own. 2 for Fregenet 3 Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................... 8 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. 9 Abbreviations ......................................................................................................................... 11 List of Figures ........................................................................................................................ 12 List of Tables ......................................................................................................................... 15 Chapter 1: Introduction ......................................................................................................... -
Integrating Technology Into Minority Language Preservation And
Language Learning & Technology May 2002, Volume 6, Number 2 http://llt.msu.edu/vol6num2/villa/ pp. 92-101 INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY INTO MINORITY LANGUGAGE PRESERVATION AND TEACHING EFFORTS: AN INSIDE JOB Daniel J. Villa New Mexico State University ABSTRACT The recent explosion in technology, in particular in computer and digitizing systems, has many implications for heritage language maintenance and learning. In particular, authentic language usage can be easily recorded and preserved for those goals. That same explosion, however, can lead to a less than appropriate implementation of technology for language maintenance and learning. Further, certain cultural boundaries can make it difficult to have access to authentic language usage, particularly by out-group individuals who work on indigenous languages. This paper presents a pilot study that attempts to both implement technology in an appropriate manner and surmount the problems faced by out-group language researchers by training an in-group member, in this case a speaker of Navajo, in the methodology and technology necessary for recording and preserving her heritage language. The results of this work are discussed, as well as the role of computer and digitizing technology in language maintenance and teaching.1 INTRODUCTION The loss of non-English languages in the United States, either indigenous or of other origin, appears to be an inexorable process. Regarding indigenous languages, Krauss (1998) notes that of the estimated 300 present before European contact in what is now the United States and Canada, some 210 survive. Many of those languages, however, are only spoken by the oldest members of the speech community, and will die along with them. -
Opening Archaeology Repatriation's Impact on Contemporary Research
1 Opening Archaeology Repatriation’s Impact on Contemporary Research and Practice Thomas W. Killion Repatriation legislation in the United States has become a social and political emblem for Native people. It has strengthened and accelerated the movement to recover ancestral human remains and culturally sensitive objects from museums, universities, and other institutions around the world (Hubert and Fforde 2002; West 1996). The repatriation movement is also of signal importance to archaeologists and other researchers working in a variety of contexts in which human remains and culturally sensitive objects of Native peoples have been discovered, housed, and studied for more than a century (G. Clark 1996; Ferguson 1996; Meighan 1992; Rose, Green, and Green 1996; Thomas 2000; Watkins 2000; Zimmerman 1997).1 With the latter issue in mind, the School of American Research (SAR; now the School for Advanced Research on the Human Experience) and the Society for Applied Anthropology (SfAA) hosted a series of meetings in 2004 and 2005. There, a small group of anthropological archaeologists looked at the process of repatriation and its role as a force of change in contemporary research and education. Part of an ongoing collaboration between SAR and SfAA on issues of central importance to anthropology, the meetings provided an opportunity to begin a review and analysis of cul- tural change and praxis within archaeology, anthropology, and museums in the United States in response to the movement.2 Copyrighted material from Opening Archaeology www.sarpress.sarweb.org -
Language Revitalization Or Dying Gasp? Language Preservation Efforts Among the Bisu of Northern Thailand
Language revitalization or dying gasp? Language preservation efforts among the Bisu of Northern Thailand KIRK R. PERSON Abstract Bisu, as spoken in Northern Thailand, boasts fewer than one thousand speakers. The low number of speakers plus constant pressure from the outside world definitely qualifies Bisu as an endangered language. The Bisu themselves recognize this fact and their leadership has requested outside help in preserving their language and culture. This article endeav- ors to describe the sociolinguistic situation in which the Bisu of Northern Thailand find themselves, chronicle e¤orts to preserve this endangered language through community involvement in the development of an or- thography and basic reading materials, and assess the current progress of the project. Additional challenges that may be encountered in the course of preserving the Bisu language for future generations will also be discussed. 1. Introduction The plight of endangered languages has received increased attention in the professional and popular press. What is clear is that a great number of the world’s smaller languages may disappear within a generation or two (Crystal 2000). Less clear is what may be done to preserve these lan- guages, both in terms of collecting and archiving data for professional use, and in fostering linguistic appreciation and maintenance among the language communities themselves. This article has two aims: to describe the sociolinguistic situation in which the Bisu of Northern Thailand find themselves, and to chronicle e¤orts to preserve this endangered language through community in- volvement in the development of an orthography and basic reading materials. 0165–2516/05/0173–0117 Int’l. -
Languages and Preserving Cultures
ODUMUNC 2020 Issue Brief for the GA Third Committee (SOCHUM) Protecting Languages and Preserving Cultures ODU Model United Nations Society Introduction: When and How? countries have a political movement to make one language, typically the language of the dominant group, the country’s only legal language. To their advocates, a single legal language is a way Of some 6,500 to 7,000 languages and major to preserve power and their vision of society.2 dialects spoken world-wide, roughly 2,700 are in danger of disappearing completely as their few remaining speakers die. With each loss, the entire world loses. Every language offers a unique way of understanding social affairs and humanity’s relationship with the universe, making the death of language a loss for all the world’s peoples. Only when a language and culture are officially recognized and promoted, moreover, can their speakers fully join their larger communities. Promoting dying languages then becomes essential to assuring the rights of marginalized groups, their social equality and 1 inclusion. Greater recognition for previously repressed or Agreeing on the promotion of indigenous marginalized ethnic groups can be seen as a languages and cultures is easy in the abstract. threat to national unification. This outlook is However, there are harsh problems to be especially common in countries that only overcome before progress becomes possible. For recently unified, whose borders are weak or some countries, the ‘whether’ question remains contested, and where loyalty to groups—ethnic, lively. Many countries have an official ‘leading’ religious, tribal or regional—is stronger than or dominant culture; residents are expected to loyalty to the state.