LINGUIST List 8.825

Tue Jun 3 1997

FYI: Akha lang, Endangered langs url

Editor for this issue: Ann Dizdar <annlinguistlist.org>

Directory

  • Matthew McDaniel, Preserving the Akha Language
  • Bryan Gick, Endangered Languages web page

    Message 1: Preserving the Akha Language

     Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 23:41:42 +0700
    From: Matthew McDaniel <akhaloxinfo.co.th>
    Subject: Preserving the Akha Language


    Dear Friends:

    I have resided in Northern Thailand at Maesai for the last six years. My primary objective is the preservation of the Akha people, their culture and their way of life. I am attempting to do this by focusing on the preservation of their language. (I am not a part of a mission organization)

    I saw real problems with the access to the written language and desired to establish a wide based literacy program. Although I am not a linguist by training, I have worked extensively with the Akha to design a new script that would allow for ease of writing and concise choice of sounds.

    Over six years we have progressed to the point where we think we have 98% of all the sounds, though there are variations between Burma and Thailand. We have not yet addressed the issue of the dialects in Laos and Vietnam. The sounds of the Akha in China along the Burmese border are similar to those in Keng Tung if you don't count the Hani.

    At any rate, our goal to make the written language widely accessable to the young people and not solely restricted to published religious texts has met with a lot of assistance and acceptance on the part of many of the Akha although those of particular religious affiliation have not necessarily been happy about what it represents.

    We are in need of more funding for payment of Akha informants and tranlsators who can assist on our progressing dictionary and grammar project.

    We have finished an Akha Children's Workbook which is in use and are finishing our final editing on an Akha Children's Phrase Book. Although many Akha are desiring to learn English we find that reinforcement of the Akha language helps all around no matter what else they wish to learn.

    There is an incredible opportunity at this time to make a very large collection of Akha knowledge through recorded interviews and the writings of Akha's who enjoy that skill, but action must be taken quickly if this is to be accomplished as the building of the Thailand-Burma-China highway is rapidly changing the face of this whole region and we feel sad about what we see happening to the Akha as a result of these fast moving events. We are hoping that our foundation work and literacy program can take hold before more of the Akha Community and way of life is destroyed beyond repair.

    We invite the comments of any and would very much like to hear from those who would wish to keep in touch with our progress. As well, being less than expert at aquiring funds we would enjoy hearing any possible suggestions in that regard.

    Please visit our web site as we build it, modify and temper it to become more and more effective.

    Sincerely:

    Matthew McDaniel

    The Akha Heritage Foundation Akha University - Maesai 397/1 Sailom Joi Rd. Maesai, Chiangrai, Thailand 57130 Ph: 66-53-640-588 Fax: 66-53-733-332 Try the other line in case one is down temporarily ph or fax E-mail: akhaloxinfo.co.th Web Site: http://www.thailine.com/akha/

    Message 2: Endangered Languages web page

     Date: Mon, 2 Jun 1997 10:02:45 -0400 (EDT)
    From: Bryan Gick <bryan.gickyale.edu>
    Subject: Endangered Languages web page


    The Endangered Language Fund (ELF) announces a new web page, at:

    http://sapir.ling.yale.edu/~elf/index.html

    In addition to membership information, calls for proposals, descriptions of funded projects, etc., the new page will contain a list of endangered language educational resources (cassette courses, college courses, etc.). Please send any corrections or additions to this resource list, or comments on other aspects of the web site, to bryan.gickyale.edu. ALL other questions about the Fund should be sent to:

    elfhaskins.yale.edu