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1 results

  • 14 - Writing Our Language

  • from Part III - Tools and Materials
  • Edited by Justyna Olko, Uniwersytet Warszawski, Poland, Julia Sallabank, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
  • Book:
    Revitalizing Endangered Languages
    Published online:
    22 April 2021
    Print publication:
    29 April 2021, pp 220-234
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  • Summary

    Developing community writing systems in marginalized communities may have many benefits. These range from improved self-esteem and visibility of the language, for written communication and the production of materials. Writing is essential for education: both mother tongue-based multilingual education and immersion teaching for revitalization. This chapter reviews practical and ideological considerations in writing oral languages, exploring motivations behind spelling and script choices. It is essential that communities be in control of all activities that aim at establishing community orthographies for their languages – above all, community members must wish to have their languages written. Key factors in designing effective orthographies are considered, including examples of scripts adopted by minority languages and factors that have influenced their choices. One individual recounts his personal journey to writing and creating literature in his language, Wymysiöeryś. Examples are also given of how curriculum development and research are shaped by a focus on Nahuatl ways of thinking and organizing knowledge.