A preliminary audiovisual documentation of Ha, a language of Vanuatu

The Endangered Language Documentation Programme (ELDP) provides grants worldwide to for the linguistic documentation of endangered language and knowledge. Grantees create multimedia collection of endangered languages. These collections are preserved and made freely available through the Endangered Languages Archive (ELAR) housed at the library of SOAS University of London.

The Ha language is spoken in a single village of approximately 150 people on the southern tip of Pentecost Island in Vanuatu. It is the southernmost variety of the language known as Sa, but with significant lexical and some grammatical differences to other related varieties. Ha speakers say they have historical links to the people and language of North Ambrym immediately to the south. This preliminary documentation of Ha aims to investigate the distinctive grammatical, lexical and cultural features of Ha and its place in the Sa dialect continuum through the audiovisual documentation of conversation, narrative, ecological knowledge and verbal art. Primary investigator: Murray Garde

Project Details


Location: Vanuatu, Melanesia, Oceania Organiser(s): Endangered Languages Documentation Programme Project partner(s): Australian National University Funder(s): Arcadia Funding received: £9,936.00 Commencement Date: 01/2008
Project owner? Update this project



Related Projects

Arcadia Logo high res

Documenting the contemporary history of science in India

To collect, preserve and make available online endangered cultural artefacts related to the contemporary (~200 years) history of science in South Asia. It will also develop a …

Explore project
Arcadia Logo high res

Digital Preservation of Kerala Archives

To survey and digitize some of the most important collections of palm-leaf manuscripts in the Thrissur and Ernakulam districts, Kerala, India in both institutional and family …

Explore project
Arcadia Logo high res

Mapping Archaeological Pre-Columbian Heritage in South America

To produce an integrated public access database for the pre-Columbian archaeological heritage of South America, focussing on Brazil and Colombia.

Explore project