Linguistics lab documents refugee languages (fwd link)

[Phillip E Cash Cash]

*Linguistics lab documents refugee languages*

By CourtesyTuesday, September 4th, 2012
USA

The Somali-Bantu refugees in Boise have friends in the linguistics program
at Boise State. The researchers are documenting the Kizigua and Maay Maay
languages of the Somali-Bantu people. A group of students and faculty
members are documenting both languages under the direction of Dr. Michal
Temkin Martinez.

“When I first interviewed here, I found out there was a refugee
population,” Temkin Martinez said. “I thought ‘how can we link students’
experiences with endangered languages and how can we do outreach with
refugees?’ ”

This research project is more than just a documentation of an endangered
language. The goals of this project include the production of a dictionary
for the Kizigua language and to give students practical experience in the
field. Temkin Martinez helped to create the two programs with retired
Professor Emeritus Jon Dayley. Dayley said Kizigua is one of about 500
Bantu languages, and it has a complexity far greater than the English
language.

Access full article below:
http://arbiteronline.com/2012/09/04/linguistics-lab-documents-refugee-languages/
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