Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

IPY: Documentation of Alaskan and Neighboring Languages Project  (IPY: Doc Alaskan and Neighbor Lang)

Outline
Alaska is the original home of two great American language families; Eskimo-Aleut and Athabaskan Eyak-Tlingit. These languages represent unique and critical components of the Arctic environment, All of these languages are endangered, more so than any other aspect of these cultures.Compounding this issue is the fact that the researchers themselves are equally endangered. In most cases, the researchers in this proposal are the sole experts in their field and are at retirement age and well beyond. The proposed research activities meet the Education and Outreach goals for the International Polar Year.There will be a definitive collection of published dictionaries and assorted publications/web resources for many languages of the Arctic that have never before existed. These languages represent unique and critical components of the Arctic environment. The result of all of this work will be many publications to influence and educate generations to come. It will also provide for further graduate study opportunities as well as classroom curriculum. In addition, these works will provide investigators in other languages comparative works available to identify and cross reference lexicon that is very particular to those people living in the Arctic regions. Languages to be researched: Afognak-Kodiak Russian Creole Evgeny Golovko Upper Kuskokwim Language Andrej Kirbik North Slope Inupiaq Language Edna Maclean Eyak Language Michael Krauss Comparative Athabascan Language, Alutiiq, Tlingit Jeff Leer Han Language Willem De Reuse Southern Tsimshian Marie Lucie Tarpent Central Alaskan Yup'ik Osahito Miyaoka Central Siberian Yup'ik Steve Jacobson

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
These languages represent unique and critical components of the Arctic environment. The result of all of this work will be many publications to influence and educate generations to come. It will also provide for further graduate study opportunities as well as classroom curriculum. In addition, these works will provide investigators in other languages comparative works available to identify and cross reference lexicon that is very particular to those people living in the Arctic regions.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Researchers involved in this work come from Japan, Russia, Belgium, Canada and Alaska.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Kodiak Island, Interior Alaska, Alaska-Canadian border, Aleutian Islands, Northern Alaska

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: May through September 2008, 2009            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
n/a

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The legacy of infrastructure will be the published dictionaries of these extinct, or near to be extinct languages.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Commercial operator

commercial airlines or boats to get to remote sites

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No, not at this time, but perhaps in the future.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes

How will the project be organised and managed?
At present, this project has its own program at the College of Liberal Arts-Dean's office, University of Alaska-Fairbanks. There is a program assistant with 20 hours per week that assists in all aspects of grant administration. She works closely with the college's fiscal officer and the UAF grants and contracts administrators. All fieldwork logistics for the research team is organized by this individual as well.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The result of all of this work will be many publications to influence and educate generations to come. It will also provide for further graduate study opportunities as well as classroom curriculum. Initially, the Investigator's plan is to meet with appropriate leaders in Native corporations and communities in inform them about the project. These include meetings with village councils to identify potential adult participants and contacts with local schools to develop student-related involvement. They will also contact post-secondary institutions around Alaska to identify interested Alaska Native students and work with them to develop internships or other appropriate forms of participation tailored to their interests. In addition, the final works will provide investigators in other languages comparative works available to identify and cross reference lexicon that is very particular to living in the Arctic regions.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All data on paper will be copied and kept in the Alaska Native Language Center(ANLC) Archive, which now also has an archivist dedicated to its development and upkeep. All electronic data will also be archived at ANLC and entered into appropriate databases and documents for publication. Master copies of all research and derivatives will be stored at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which maintains a nationally recognized network security and data storage system.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
National Science Foundation is our only source of funding.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Michael Krauss
Professor Emeritus University of Alaska-Fairbanks
P.O. Box 80123, Fairbanks, Alaska
99708-0123
USA

Tel: (907) 479-6340
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation