GIZAC - Gwarayu and the Intermediate Zone (Amazonia - Chaco, Bolivia) documentation project

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.

GIZA is a language documentation project in Bolivia, working with endangered Gwarayu (gyr) and almost extinct Guarasuñe’e (psm), more widely known as Pauserna. Both languages belong to the Tupi-Guarani family. Gwarayu has approximately 5,000 speakers of varying competence, and of Guarasuñe’e there are only four speakers left. The two hitherto underinvestigated languages are found in a linguistic contact region and geographical intermediate zone between Bolivian Amazonia and Chaco. GIZA aims at compiling a large multi-purpose corpus that allows for scientific research on the two languages as well as for revitalisation activities. Primary investigator: Swintha Danielsen

Project Details


Location: Bolivia, South America, Americas Organiser(s): Endangered Languages Documentation Programme Project partner(s): University of Leipzig Funder(s): Arcadia Funding received: £146,327.00 Commencement Date: 01/2010 Project Status: Active
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