Revitalizing Endangered Languages

The project Endangered languages. Comprehensive models for research and revitalization is being carried out at the University of Warsaw, with the direct participation of the Instituto de Docencia e Investigación Etnológica de Zacatecas (IDIEZ), Adam Mickiewicz University and the Pedagogical University of Cracow, and in collaboration with the Wired Humanities Projects at the University of Oregon (Eugene) and the Universidad Autonóma de Tlaxcala. It focuses on three endangered languages in two countries: Nahuatl in Mexico; and Lemko and Wymysiöeryś in Poland. Our main aims include the construction of a unique, efficient model for the revitalization of each of these languages, as well as a more general, universal model for revitalization that could be applied to other endangered languages. These goals are being pursued in two ways: first, through interdisciplinary research including documentary work as well as investigation of both the cultural-historical background and the present state of the languages; and second, through close collaboration with Nahuatl, Lemko and Wymysiöeryś native speakers and their communities. We also hope to work together with state institutions responsible for language policy and educational programs for minority groups.