Language Documentation and the Empowerment of Target Community Members

SOAS Linguistics Webinar: Language Documentation and the Empowerment of Target Community Members

Pius W. Akumbu
(Alexander von Humboldt Researcher, University of Hamburg, Germany)

Abstract: While the principal role of the language documentation specialist is to create a record of the linguistic practices of a specific community, I suggest in this presentation that an extended approach that seeks to meet some needs of members of the target community would make language documentation efforts more meaningful and beneficial to all involved, including the funding agencies. From a community linguist’s perspective, I propose that language documentation activities that seek to empower community members should follow a community-based approach to identify the needs, request and allocate appropriate funds, and execute the project(s).