films on endangered languages (fwd)

[Yuphaphann Hoonchamlong]

This might be of interest to some of you working with endangered
langauges.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 16 May 2005 19:25:49 -1000
From: Kamil Ud Deen <kamil at HAWAII.EDU>
To: ling-l at HAWAII.EDU
Subject: films on endangered languages

Hi all,
for those who do not subscribe, this was posted to the Linguistlist
yesterday.

----------------------------------------------
Date: 16-May-2005
From: Ole Stig Andersen <osaolestig.dk>
Subject: Films and Documentaries on Endangered Languages


Regarding query: http://www.linguistlist.org/issues/16/16-1441.html#2

The query yielded some 80 films, ranging from 2 minute TV spots over
many classic half-hour documentaries to a handfull of full-length
feature movies that may not be documentaries proper as much as
revitalization projects in their own right.

Most of them portray the situation of a single lg and/or a variety of
revitalisation efforts. A few tell the history of the destruction of a
particular language.

A third of the films are part of a a single impressive production: the
Canadian Finding Our Talk series of 26 half-hour films, all available
in four lgs. There are som ten further films from the Americas, about
a dozen on Finno-Ugric lgs of Norteastern Europe and similarly for
Australia.

Except for the Archives of Babel series of small TV spots the query
did not elicit a single pointer to films about endangered African or
South Asian lgs. In general, the list leaves the unoffshakable
impression that (some) endangered lgs of the Rich are somewhat better
off, publicitywise at least, than the Rest, which is of course no
wonder.

About a quarter of the films are (also) available online. Others are
on VHS, DVD and 35 mm film. A few are probably not available.

I have put up a webpage with detailed information - as far as I have
it now - on the 80 films: a tiny presentation of each, the lg(s)
featured, lg versions available, format, duration etc. There you'll
also find links and contact information on the film, the producer or
distributor.

http://www.olestig.dk/endangered-languages/films.html

I believe this overview lists the majority of available TV/Film-
documentaries on endangered lgs. I'm looking forward to corrections,
additional information, further films etc.

I thank those who responded to the query and have credited them on the
web page.

Ole Stig Andersen