The Endangered Languages Catalog project (ELCat) (fwd link)

[Claire Bowern]

Hi all,
Thanks for posting this Phil!
Let me chime in about this briefly. I have a role on the elcat project as Australian "language captain" - that is, part of my role is identifying which languages should be included for that region. There are other linguists involved for other areas.
I would be very interested in hearing from list members how they feel about the project, and what sort of information they would like to see on such a site (or what information they would prefer not to see). As I understand it, the design for the interface for the site is still in progress, so now is a great time to let us know. Speakers of endangered languages were involved in the project planning, so it hasn't been just a group of university linguists working stuff out, but consultation hasn't been as wide as it might have been.
To take an example - one thing I am pushing strongly for in the Australian context is that the category 'endangered' language should include languages like Kaurna, which are being brought back to life, and not just languages like Bardi, which are losing speakers. 
One of the advantages of a site like this is that it gives recognition -- what sort of recognition would you like to see for your languages? What what be a good way to acknowledge the elders, for example? What sort of things do you want the rest of the world to know about your language?
Claire



On Oct 6, 2011, at 1:12 PM, Phil Cash Cash wrote:

> Greetings,
> 
> I'm thinking that such a project was highly inevitable given the intensity of advocacy/scientific awareness these days.  Within the news article is a link to the NSF project description, so take a look.
> 
> It is soo heartbreaking to know that many endangered language communities have very little recognition and support.  So I am very excited for this project and give a shout out to all the endangered languages and speech communities that deserve very much to be recognized!  Such a project will do this I believe.
> 
> Phil
> UofA
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Oct 6, 2011, at 10:02 AM, Phillip E Cash Cash wrote:
> 
>> Article quote:
>> 
>> "The ELCat is a collaborative project with the University of Hawaii
>> and the Eastern Michigan University that aims to provide accurate,
>> up-to-date information on the endangered languages of the world as
>> well as raising public awareness, promoting increased research on
>> endangered languages, but also providing the communities whose
>> languages are at risk with materials to support language preservation
>> and revitalization activities."
>> 
>> Access full article below:
>> http://www.lat-mpi.eu/latnews/2011/09/the-endangered-language-catalog-elcat/
>>