Documentation of two Eastern Tukanoan languages: Wanano and Waikhana (Piratapuyo)

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.

Kotiria (Wanano) and Wa'ikhana (Piratapuyo) are two closely related Eastern Tukanoan languages spoken in north-western Amazonia. The project is designed to be both highly participatory—with indigenous research teams trained in documentation methods, manipulation of archival materials, and basic linguistic analysis—and interdisciplinary, focusing on a broad range of themes. Expected outcomes include the consolidation of orthographies, elaboration of materials for indigenous schools, collections of texts in both languages, and a body of annotated data for a reference grammar of Wa'ikhana. Documentation will be closely linked to indigenous education programs and other language and cultural maintenance efforts. Primary investigator: Kristine Stenzel

Project Details


Location: Brazil, South America, Brazil, Americas, United States of America Organiser(s): Endangered Languages Documentation Programme Project partner(s): Museu Nacional, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Funder(s): Arcadia Funding received: £113,944.00 Commencement Date: 01/2003
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