A preliminary documentation of Danau, an endangered language of Myanmar (Burma)
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 Danau language of the Shan State of Myanmar (Burma) was reported to be "dying" as long back as 1965. Anecdotal evidence from the field suggests that since the language has no official protection in the country, and is not formally taught, it is only spoken by a handful of scattered communities. Although around 10,000 people identify themselves as 'Danau', it has never been properly documented, and its future remains highly uncertain. I intend to carry out a first documentation of Danau, with an emphasis on recording the cultural and encyclopaedic knowledge encoded in the language.
Primary investigator: Aung Si
Project Details
Location: Myanmar
Organiser(s):
Endangered Languages Documentation Programme
Project partner(s): Australian National University
Funder(s):
Arcadia
Funding received: £8,429.00
Commencement Date: 01/2008
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