Ark. prof works to save endangered Indian language
This story started in the Arkensas Democrat-Gazette (content now behind paywall), and has been published by various papers since.
The story reports that Northern Paiute has about 300 speakers, most of whom are over 50. And that Professor Tim Thorne recorded 150-200 hours of oral literature in a six-week visit to Oregon.
Wednesday 1 December 2010
Sunday 10 October 2010
New language discovered in India
Explorers in India find something almost unheard of: a new language
The Independent reports that the Koro language was originally thought to be a dialect of Aka or Miji. In 2008 researchers realised that it was distinct.
The article closes with a list of facts about endangered and extinct languages.
The Independent reports that the Koro language was originally thought to be a dialect of Aka or Miji. In 2008 researchers realised that it was distinct.
The article closes with a list of facts about endangered and extinct languages.
Tuesday 21 September 2010
Totos visited by journalist
In an ancient global village.
An journalist from The Telegraph India visits the Totos of Totopara. Described as a "primitive tribe" in the opening, the author concludes that they are not as primitive as prejudice suggests. Although possibly for stylistic effect, there is an apparent sense of surprise in the piece, that Totos are normal people too.
The article mentions some of the problems facing the Totos. The health risks that arise from the endogamous tradition of the tribe, and the fact that Totopara has a significant (and wealthier) Nepali, Bihari, and Marwari population are both cited as issues.
The critically endangered Toto language is not mentioned in the article, but it does state that the Toto tribe has never numbered more than 1400. This is at odds with Ethnologue's estimate of 20,000 Toto speakers (assuming no significant Toto-speaking non-Toto population exists), but consistent with UNESCO's estimate of 1000.
An journalist from The Telegraph India visits the Totos of Totopara. Described as a "primitive tribe" in the opening, the author concludes that they are not as primitive as prejudice suggests. Although possibly for stylistic effect, there is an apparent sense of surprise in the piece, that Totos are normal people too.
The article mentions some of the problems facing the Totos. The health risks that arise from the endogamous tradition of the tribe, and the fact that Totopara has a significant (and wealthier) Nepali, Bihari, and Marwari population are both cited as issues.
The critically endangered Toto language is not mentioned in the article, but it does state that the Toto tribe has never numbered more than 1400. This is at odds with Ethnologue's estimate of 20,000 Toto speakers (assuming no significant Toto-speaking non-Toto population exists), but consistent with UNESCO's estimate of 1000.
Saturday 11 September 2010
Rosetta Stone Navajo
Rosetta Stone Endangered Language Program Releases Navajo
Bloomberg reports that, Rosetta Stone, through its Endangered Language programme, have released a Navajo version of their language learning software.
The report also mentions that a Chitimacha version has already been released, and lists Mohawk (Kanien’kéha), Iñupiaq and Inuttitut, as other languages in the programme.
Bloomberg reports that, Rosetta Stone, through its Endangered Language programme, have released a Navajo version of their language learning software.
The report also mentions that a Chitimacha version has already been released, and lists Mohawk (Kanien’kéha), Iñupiaq and Inuttitut, as other languages in the programme.
Wednesday 8 September 2010
Khoibu language absent from UNESCO list
UNESCO misfires again : Khoibu dialect not on endangered list
The Sangai Express alleges that UNESCO have erroneously left Khoibu, spoken in Manipur, off their list of endangered languages.
According to the article, there are 3000 Khoibus.
The number of speakers of a language does not necessarily correspond to its level of endangerment.
The Sangai Express alleges that UNESCO have erroneously left Khoibu, spoken in Manipur, off their list of endangered languages.
According to the article, there are 3000 Khoibus.
The number of speakers of a language does not necessarily correspond to its level of endangerment.
Saturday 28 August 2010
Neo-Whorfians in the NY Times
Does your language shape the way you think?
An article by Guy Deutscher, adapted from his book "Through the Language Glass: Why the World Looks Different in Other Languages", describes the difference between the old whorfian concept that a language constrains the way you think, with the idea that the information that a speaker is obliged to convey in a language necessarily has an effect. He draws a parallel with the intuition and habit born of other social influences.
The article mentions the inconsistency of grammatical gender across different languages, highlights Roman Jakobsen's maxim that "Languages differ essentially in what they must convey and not in what they may convey."
Includes examples of evidentiality in Matses, and of exclusively non-egocentric geographic coordinates in Guugu Yimithirr and other languages, along with the difficulty that egocentrically oriented people can have in dealing with such a system.
An article by Guy Deutscher, adapted from his book "Through the Language Glass: Why the World Looks Different in Other Languages", describes the difference between the old whorfian concept that a language constrains the way you think, with the idea that the information that a speaker is obliged to convey in a language necessarily has an effect. He draws a parallel with the intuition and habit born of other social influences.
The article mentions the inconsistency of grammatical gender across different languages, highlights Roman Jakobsen's maxim that "Languages differ essentially in what they must convey and not in what they may convey."
Includes examples of evidentiality in Matses, and of exclusively non-egocentric geographic coordinates in Guugu Yimithirr and other languages, along with the difficulty that egocentrically oriented people can have in dealing with such a system.
Sunday 22 August 2010
Most isolated Brazilian
The most Isolated man in the world
Slate Magazine reports on the "last survivor of an uncontacted tribe", subject to a "policy of no contact". The reporter, Monte Reel, points out the negative attitudes of local ranchers and loggers, and mentions the alleged genocide of the Akuntsu as an example.
Another point made is the possibility that technology might help raise awareness, and enable the non-invasive mapping and monitoring of regions.
Slate Magazine reports on the "last survivor of an uncontacted tribe", subject to a "policy of no contact". The reporter, Monte Reel, points out the negative attitudes of local ranchers and loggers, and mentions the alleged genocide of the Akuntsu as an example.
Another point made is the possibility that technology might help raise awareness, and enable the non-invasive mapping and monitoring of regions.
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