An Audio-Visual Archive of South Mustang Tibetan
The Endangered Language Documentation Programme (ELDP) provides grants worldwide for the documentation of endangered languages and knowledge. Grantees create audiovisual collections with transcription and translations of endangered languages and practices. These collections are preserved and made freely available through the Endangered Languages Archive (ELAR).
| South Mustang Tibetan (SMT) or 'Baragaunle' (28° 53' 37.3848'' N 83° 48' 38.106'' E, ca. 1800 speakers) is a severely endangered language spoken in a number of villages in Mustang, Nepal. It is related to Loke/Lowa, another language of the Bodish branch of the Sino-Tibetan language, which is also an endangered language spoken in Upper Mustang. Most speakers of SMT are fluent in Nepali and Seke as well and SMT is not used in writing or education, putting it in a very precarious situation. Due to economic difficulties in the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake and the current pandemic, speakers are rapidly leaving the villages to find employment in Kathmandu and abroad. This is having a disastrous effect on the local language and cultural traditions, which is why this project aims to acquire audio-visual materials that will help preserve the local language and unique pre-Buddhist Bon cultural tradition. |
Project Details
Location: Nepal, Southern Asia, Asia
Organiser(s):
Endangered Languages Documentation Programme
Project partner(s): University of Cambridge
Funder(s):
Arcadia
Funding received: 9,928.00 EUR
Commencement Date: 07/2022
Project Status: Active
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