Endangered Languages
An endangered language is one that is likely to become extinct in the near future, if it is no longer spoken or known by anyone. Read the LSA’s pamphlet ‘What is an Endangered Language?’ [pdf] to learn more.
Linguists around the globe actively work with communities to document and revitalize endangered languages. The Committee on Endangered Languages and their Preservation (CELP) promotes interest in this topic through its Facebook, Twitter, and discussion blog.
This page includes the following information relevant to Endangered Language Preservation:
LSA Activities
Endangered languages have always been a part of the LSA's advocacy work for human rights. Below are news items related to the documentation, preservation, and recognition of endangered languages and their cultures and communities. For current and on-going events, we encourage you to visit our Public Policy Page, and for past and recent legislative updates on Native American languages, we encourage you to visit our Archive Page of Native American Language Revitalization Legislation in the U.S. Congress.
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In June 2021, in response to news surrounding the discovery of graves at indigenous boarding schools, the LSA Natives4Linguistics Special Interest Group released a statement on the news and on what linguists can do to help, and the LSA released a Statement on Indigenous Community Issues.
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In April 2020, the LSA released a statement in support of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act (HR.312).
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In January 2019, the LSA and the Society for the Study of the Indigenous Languages of the Americas (SSILA) held an International Year of Indigenous Languages kickoff event at the LSA Annual Meeting in New York.
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In September 2018 the LSA adopted a new statement on the evaluation of language documentation work.
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In December 2016, the LSA approved a statement on the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Sioux Nations at Standing Rock.
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In February 2015 the LSA passed a resolution opposing the use of Native American-themed mascots in sports. Read more about it here.
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In April 2011, the LSA adopted a resolution for U.S. Government Action to Support the Preservation and Revitalization of Native American Languages
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Linguistic Diversity and the documentation of languages has always been important to the LSA. In January 2010, the LSA adopted a Resolution Recognizing the Scholarly Merit of Language Documentation, and in June 1994 it released a Statement on The Need for the Documentation of Linguistic Diversity.
Resources
Organizations and Funders
There are hundreds of other sites and organizations dedicated to documenting and promoting endangered languages. A few of these include:
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The Society for the Study of Indigenous Languages of the Americas (SSILA)
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The Hans Rausing Endangered Languages Documentation Programme (ELDP)
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The NSF Dynamic Language Infrastructure-NEH Documenting Endangered Languages (DLI-DEL) program, and the humanities advocacy work of the National Humanities Alliance.
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Living Languages (formerly the Resource Network for Linguistic Diversity)
Conferences and Workshops
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International Conference on Language Documentation and Conservation (ICLDC)
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CoLang (Institute on Collaborate Language Research) (more information below)
Other Resources
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In 2006, CELP helped develop a web-based resource Linguistic Fieldwork Preparation: a Guide for Field Linguists.
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Field Reports: CELP-invited authors wrote field reports raising issues of ethics or methodology and sharing what different communities are doing:
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The Power of "No" (Emerson Odango) (2013)
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Chickasaws Are on the Move (Marcia Haag) (2013)
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Information regarding data and databases on Endangered Languages:
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In addition to CELP, the LSA has a number of committees and special interest groups dedicated to the recognition and representation of underrepresented languages and their cultures. These include the Natives4Linguistics Special Interest Group. The LSA also presents a number of awards and honors that may be relevant to scholars of endangered languages, such as the Kenneth L. Hale Award or the Excellence in Community Linguistics Award.
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Looking for a book on endangered languages? Consider the LSA Book Exchange!
Special Events and Projects Related to Endangered Languages
2019 – International Year of Indigenous Languages
In 2016, the UN declared 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages. The LSA was thrilled to be an official partner of the International Year of Indigenous Languages, and along with the Society for the Study of the Indigenous Languages of the Americas (SSILA) is deeply committed to continued support of the UN's mission of raising awareness and support of Indigenous groups and their languages. LSA efforts to tailor our events and media presence to actively contribute to the International Year of Indigenous Languages were spearheaded by its Committee on Endangered Languages and their Preservation (CELP), and can be reviewed on this page.
HELP for Endangered Legacy Collections
A project sponsored by CELP and led by Kate Lindsey ([email protected]) and Jorge Emilio Rosés Labrada ([email protected])
HELP for Endangered Legacy Collections is an initiative from within the Committee on Endangered Languages and their Preservation (CELP) to assist in the digitization, archiving, and processing of endangered language data. This initiative attempts to tackle two concerns within our field: (1) the fact that many senior researchers nearing retirement need assistance in digitizing, archiving and processing their legacy collections of endangered language data and (2) the fact that there is an increasing number of graduate students who wish to undertake work on endangered languages but are not able to collect their own data due to a variety of reasons, e.g., travel restrictions (especially in the wake of the current global pandemic), lack of funding, family obligations, health concerns, and so on. Click here to learn more. Applications for the pilot phase of this new initiative have closed. Check back for updates.
CoLang (Institute on Collaborative Language Research)
Members of CELP fully support the CoLang summer institute, which provides undergraduates, graduate students, practicing linguists, and community members access to the latest information on methods in language documentation and revitalization. CoLang 2022 will be held from June 13th to July 8th at the University of Montana, click here for more information.