Indigenous Language Revitalization and Preservation in Melanesia and the Pacific, Phase II

• Thematic framework: Endangered Languages
• Geographical outreach: Regional
• Types of project: Capacity-building
  
  
• Beneficiary country:
  - Papua New Guinea,
  - Vanuatu,
  - Solomon Islands
  
  
• Main responsible:
  Mali Voi, Apia Office UNESCO

Summary of the activities
The project aims to continue the survey and documentation of Melanesian languages launched during Phase I in 2000-2003. The present project will also focus on capacity building by training local students and field workers to conduct linguistic research and documentation.

The activities involve carrying out linguistic surveys concentrating on the documentation of Melanesian languages in danger of disappearing to produce the necessary data (e.g., orthographies for the unwritten languages and grammars) for the development of adequate learning materials for the revitalization of these languages.

The following results are expected:
- Linguistic data necessary for developing orthographies collected;
- Adequate linguistic tools for literacy in local communities developed;
- Local communities encouraged to participate in actions for safeguarding and preservation of their own
languages;
- Local capacities for language documentation, preservation and transmission enhanced.

Main partners
- Literature and Languages Department, University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG)
- Pacific Language Unit, University of South Pacific (USP), Vanuatu
- Institute of Solomon Island Studies, Solomon Islands