Alaska natives team with Rosetta Stone
The Seattle Times reports that the North Slope Inupiaq version of Rosetta Stone language learning software is to be released in Spring.
The article comments on the state of Alaskan Languages, mentioning that only Inupiaq and Central Yup'ik have over 1000 speakers. And that Eyak is now extinct. It offers a poor prognosis for Inupiaq, stating that children are brought up in English Only Households.
The article also describes the distribution model of the software, with 800 free copies already having been distributed, and that 150 have been sold.
Another project from the Rosetta Stone Endangered Languages Programme has been mentioned in this blog: Rosetta Stone Navajo
Friday, 4 February 2011
Monday, 3 January 2011
QI Column mentions last speakers
QI: QI goes off on one
A column of interesting facts about the number 1, contains an entry on last speakers.
The current last speakers of Yaghan and Kaixána are mentioned. The article also mentions the last native speaker of Cornish, prior to its revival
A column of interesting facts about the number 1, contains an entry on last speakers.
The current last speakers of Yaghan and Kaixána are mentioned. The article also mentions the last native speaker of Cornish, prior to its revival
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Northern Paiute Scholar in the news
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.
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.
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.
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