Documentation of the grammar, lexicon and oral tradition of the Vurës language of west Vanua Lava, Vanuatu

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).

This project will focus on the documentation of Vurës, an Austronesian language spoken by approximately 1,000 people on the island of Vanua Lava in northern Vanuatu. Proposed outcomes are twofold: First, to write a comprehensive descriptive grammar of Vurës, which would include a detailed analysis of the phonology, morphology, syntax and discourse structure of the language, and the production of a trilingual dictionary, giving both English and Bislama translations, so that the dictionary will be of use both to the local community and to linguists. Second, to produce literacy materials that will give speakers the opportunity to learn literacy skills in their own language. Primary investigator: Catriona Malau

Project Details


Location: Vanuatu, Melanesia, Oceania Organiser(s): Endangered Languages Documentation Programme Project partner(s): Research Centre for Linguistic Typology, La Trobe University Funder(s): Arcadia Funding received: £51,399.00 Commencement Date: 01/2000 Project Status: Completed
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