Announcing the Endangered Language Fund

[whalen at lenny.haskins.yale.edu]

Announcing the Creation of

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<> THE ENDANGERED LANGUAGE FUND, INC. <>
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This is a new, non-profit U.S. corporation dedicated to:

*  The scientific study of endangered languages
*  Support of native community attempts to maintain an
endangered language's viability
*  Dissemination of the results of those efforts both to
the native communities and the scholarly world

The Board of Directors consists of:

Douglas H. WHALEN (Haskins Laboratories; President)
Stephen R. ANDERSON (Yale U.)
Rebecca BENDING (Yakima/Nez Perce)
C. J. CHERRYH (author and classicist)
Noam CHOMSKY (MIT)
Melissa FAWCETT (Historian of the Mohegan Tribe)
Durbin FEELING (Tribal Linguist, Cherokee Nation)
Dennis HOLT (Southern Connecticut SU; Secretary/Treasurer)
Peter LADEFOGED (UCLA)
Floyd LOUNSBURY (Yale U.)
Johanna NICHOLS (UC,Berkeley)

   Languages have died off throughout history, but never have
   we faced the massive extinction that is threatening the world
   right now.  As language professionals, we are faced with a stark
   reality:  Much of what we study will not be available to future
   generations.  The cultural heritage of many peoples is crumbling
   while we look on.  Are we willing to shoulder the blame for having
   stood by a done nothing?  The tide is too large to turn back
   completely, but the Endangered Language Fund is designed to do
   what we can.

      The Fund will support communities that are trying to teach
      dying languages to a new generation.  Many languages have skipped
      a generation, and extraordinary methods are needed for the
      language to have any hope.  Other languages would be helped
      immensely by even traditional aids such as grammars and dictionaries.
      Modern language teaching, including interactive programs, video
      instruction, and practice tapes can also be of service.  Even
      languages that cannot be revived can be recorded to the extent
      possible, preserving language in a way not available to previous
      generations.  These and other projects will be supported through
      the awarding of grants to individuals and language communities.
      A detailed Request for Proposals will appear this winter.  The
      number of awards that we can make will be directly dependent on
      the amount of money we raise.

      There are four levels of support:

      Member:  $50
      Supporting Member:  $100
      Sustaining Member:  $500 and up
      Friend of the Fund:  Any amount

      Members will receive our newsletter.  Supporting members also
      receive a discount on one language book (we are negotiating
      with several publishers on this).  Sustaining members will also
      receive a copy of the language artifact (text, video, tape,
      etc.) of their choice from the year's efforts.

      ***FOR THE FIRST YEAR ONLY, we will induct all Sustaining
      Members into the FOUNDERS' CLUB.  Inclusion in this club will
      provide a permanent record of devotion to the cause of endangered
      languages.  Members will receive a plaque acknowledging their
      crucial support in this effort.

      The Endangered Language Fund has applied for U. S. Federal
      tax-exempt status.  While we cannot guarantee that we will
      receive it, we are quite sure that we will.  Any donation
      made before the award will be retroactively eligible for
      deduction from U.S. Federal income taxes once the exemption is
      granted.  ONE THING THAT WILL HELP US RECEIVE THIS STATUS IS
      AN ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE FROM THE LINGUISTICS COMMUNITY.
      PLEASE BE A PART OF THAT RESPONSE.

      JOIN THE ENDANGERED LANGUAGE FUND TODAY!

      Checks, in U.S. funds, can be made out to The Endangered
      Language Fund.  Mastercard and Visa are also accepted; include
      card type, card number, expiration date, and signature.
      Send to:

      The Endangered Language Fund
      Department of Linguistics
      Yale University
      New Haven, CT  06520
      U.S.A.

      Please pass on this announcement to your colleagues who are
      not on the list.
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