The Endangered Languages Project: Supporting language preservation through technology & collaboratio

[Vehl]

The Miami-Illinois language was considered by some to be extinct. Once spoken by Native American communities throughout what’s now the American Midwest, its last fluent speakers died in the 1960s. Decades later, Daryl Baldwin, a citizen of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, began teaching himself the language from historical manuscripts and now works with the Miami University in Ohio to continue the work of revitalizing the language, publishing stories, audio files and other educational materials. Miami children are once again learning the language and—even more inspiring—teaching it to each other.

Daryl’s work is just one example of the efforts being made to preserve and strengthen languages that are on the brink of disappearing. Today we’re introducing something we hope will help: the Endangered Languages Project, a website for people to find and share the most up-to-date and comprehensive information about endangered languages. Documenting the 3,000+ languages that are on the verge of extinction (about half of all languages in the world) is an important step in preserving cultural diversity, honoring the knowledge of our elders and empowering our youth. Technology can strengthen these efforts by helping people create high-quality recordings of their elders (often the last speakers of a language), connecting diaspora communities through social media and facilitating language learning.

The Endangered Languages Project, backed by a new coalition, the Alliance for Linguistic Diversity, gives those interested in preserving languages a place to store and access research, share advice and build collaborations. People can share their knowledge and research directly through the site and help keep the content up-to-date. A diverse group of collaborators have already begun to contribute content ranging from 18th-century manuscripts to modern teaching tools like video and audio language samples and knowledge-sharing articles. Members of the Advisory Committee have also provided guidance, helping shape the site and ensure that it addresses the interests and needs of language communities.

Google has played a role in the development and launch of this project, but the long-term goal is for true experts in the field of language preservation to take the lead. As such, in a few months we’ll officially be handing over the reins to the First Peoples' Cultural Council (FPCC) and The Institute for Language Information and Technology (The LINGUIST List) at Eastern Michigan University. FPCC will take on the role of Advisory Committee Chair, leading outreach and strategy for the project. The LINGUIST List will become the Technical Lead. Both organizations will work in coordination with the Advisory Committee.


more here
http://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/endangered-languages-project-supporting.html

http://www.endangeredlanguages.com/

Of the 7000 languages currently spoken, 50% will not survive the turn of the century; if nothing is done to preserve them.

This project aims at creating/providng the resources and tools required to keep these endangered languages alive. This includes an online repository of high quality recordings of people speaking these languages, copies of historical manuscripts, e learning options and also niche-language social networking opportunities, on top of research and other documentation.

Google now supports Google searches in Cherokee, and plans to roll out similar features to other endangered languages as well. All in all I think this endeavor is definitely worth it, considering the fact that many of these languages are part and parcel of human heritage.

PS: A point which the video makes, and I think is important is "language loss is often related to oppression and injustice"

[myrna minx]

1. Thanks for posting. K&R

[myrna minx]

3. Kick - I think this is interesting.

[Odin2005]

2. I'm shocked by the number of endagered languages in Europe.

Occitan is endangered? Fuck!

[MineralMan]

4. As sad as a language dying is,

I think it is impossible to keep a language alive, once its native speakers are down to zero. I'm not even sure it is a worthwhile endeavor.

I love languages, but I don't think this will work.

[MichaelMcGuire]

6. What about Hebrew, its probably the best example of language revival.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revival_of_Hebrew_language

[MineralMan]

7. Hebrew and Latin.

Both had active members of a religion with motivation to keep the languages alive.

[MichaelMcGuire]

8. The means to keep a native language. Comes from many factors, including but not limited too.

My example/point still stands, Hebrew was brought back. It isn't a waste of time or money, it's death wasn't inevitable. The destruction of a language isn't inevitable, unless nothing is done.

[MichaelMcGuire]

5. Mòran taing (nt)

[MichaelMcGuire]

9. Got to get an account got a good few videos from my phone to upload. (nt)