How to avoid pitfalls in documenting endangered languages
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Sarah G. Thomason
Abstract
Conducting fieldwork on an endangered language resembles fieldwork projects on non-endangered languages in most respects, but there also some differences that require extra attention when one studies an endangered language in the field. This paper concentrates on the differences. It covers such topics as getting access to fluent native speakers and community approval for the research; data-collection techniques (a variety will be needed); individual variation, which can be much more problematic in an endangered language than in other languages; and dictionary-making procedures, which may require consultants to dig deep in their memories to come up with words they haven’t spoken or heard for many years.
Abstract
Conducting fieldwork on an endangered language resembles fieldwork projects on non-endangered languages in most respects, but there also some differences that require extra attention when one studies an endangered language in the field. This paper concentrates on the differences. It covers such topics as getting access to fluent native speakers and community approval for the research; data-collection techniques (a variety will be needed); individual variation, which can be much more problematic in an endangered language than in other languages; and dictionary-making procedures, which may require consultants to dig deep in their memories to come up with words they haven’t spoken or heard for many years.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Dedication vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Introduction xi
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Part I. Language Endangerment: Challenges and Responses
- The world’s languages in crisis 3
- What can revitalization work teach us about documentation? 21
- Unanswered questions in language documentation and revitalization 43
- Training as empowering social action 59
- How to avoid pitfalls in documenting endangered languages 79
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Part II. Case Studies in Documentation and Revitalization of Endangered Languages and Languages in Contact
- Converb and aspect-marking polysemy in Nar 97
- Grammatical relations in Mixe and Chimariko 119
- Having a shinshii/shiishii ‘master’ around makes you speak Japanese! 141
- Internal and external calls to immigrant language promotion 157
- Code-switching in an Erzya–Russian bilingual variety 175
- Colonialism, nationalism and language vitality in Azerbaijan 197
- Revitalizing languages through place-based language curriculum 221
- Remembering ancestral voices 243
- Index 271
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Dedication vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Introduction xi
-
Part I. Language Endangerment: Challenges and Responses
- The world’s languages in crisis 3
- What can revitalization work teach us about documentation? 21
- Unanswered questions in language documentation and revitalization 43
- Training as empowering social action 59
- How to avoid pitfalls in documenting endangered languages 79
-
Part II. Case Studies in Documentation and Revitalization of Endangered Languages and Languages in Contact
- Converb and aspect-marking polysemy in Nar 97
- Grammatical relations in Mixe and Chimariko 119
- Having a shinshii/shiishii ‘master’ around makes you speak Japanese! 141
- Internal and external calls to immigrant language promotion 157
- Code-switching in an Erzya–Russian bilingual variety 175
- Colonialism, nationalism and language vitality in Azerbaijan 197
- Revitalizing languages through place-based language curriculum 221
- Remembering ancestral voices 243
- Index 271
