Research efforts save access to 78 rare indigenous languages

Research efforts save access to 78 rare indigenous languages Earlier this week, we told you about a new technology being used to preserve wax cylinders that contain our only references to rare indigenous languages recorded over 100 years ago. Today’s Video of the Day comes from the National Science Foundation and features a look at how these research efforts have saved the record of 78 of these indigenous languages.

While in many places there has been decreased transmission of languages from one generation to the next, recognition of this has led to efforts by Indigenous peoples to revitalize and sustain their languages.

The objectives of the Indigenous Languages and Cultures Program are to: Strengthen Indigenous cultural identity and participation in Canadian society; and Support the efforts of Indigenous peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen Indigenous languages and cultures .Linguists have only recently begun to organize large-scale efforts to save.

Wikitongues isn’t the only initiative working to document rare languages. National Geographic Society’s Enduring Voices project supported the Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages in their effort to build Talking Dictionaries comprised of definitions, audio files, and images.

The Indigenous Languages Component’s requests for funding typically exceed our available resources. If your organization or your group is eligible, submitting an application does not guarantee funding. Research efforts save access to 78 rare indigenous languages.

While supporting efforts to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen Indigenous languages and to preserve and revitalize Indigenous cultures, the Department of Canadian Heritage is committed to taking positive measures to enhance the vitality of official-language.

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By Rory Arnold, Earth.com

Video Credit: National Science Foundation