Research Articles

Language activism and the ‘new linguistics’: expanding opportunities for documenting endangered languages in Indonesia

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Abstract

This paper discusses the role that language activism can play in raising the level of language documentation and support for revitalisation activities in linguistically diverse and resource poor countries such as Indonesia. Section 2 discusses the rise of language activism within the dual contexts of the extinction crisis facing linguistic, cultural and biological diversity, and the development of international policies addressing indigenous rights. In Section 3, I argue that these contexts are framing what is conceptualized here as a ‘new linguistics’, and that capacity building and mentoring are core activities through which external language activists can support internal language activists. A small-scale training programme which was developed and piloted in Indonesia in 2006-2007 is described in Section 4. Section 5 then examines the impact of training on language activism, which is evidenced first through the range of language documentation projects which the Indonesian workshop participants are beginning to undertake across the country, and second, through the ways in which the participants are beginning to transfer their language documentation and maintenance skills to their colleagues, students, and community members.

Keywords: language activism, language documentation, revitalisation, Indonesia, endangered languages, indigenous rights, international policy, training, mentorship

How to Cite:

Florey, M., (2008) “Language activism and the ‘new linguistics’: expanding opportunities for documenting endangered languages in Indonesia”, Language Documentation and Description 5, 120-135. doi: https://doi.org/10.25894/ldd255