Linguistic Dynamics Science Project (LingDy)

--Project for Building an International Network of Collaborative Research on Endangered Linguistic Diversity

Language, undoubtedly one of the most important characteristics of humanity, is shaped in social interactions embedded within the cultural history. Some 7000 languages currently spoken in the world show how widely and deeply human languages can vary. We have made some progress in obtaining knowledge about under-documented languages in recent years, but that additional knowledge only confirms that human language is much more complex and varied than we have expected.

Ironically, in the age of globalization, many traditional languages as well as traditional cultures are being pushed out of existence at an unprecedented pace. The present rate of language extinction is so high that loss of diversity within humanity has become a real concern. The loss of linguistic and cultural diversity will not only hinder further understanding of human cognition and communication, but also ultimately threaten the sustainability of mankind as a species. With this serious threat facing us, it has become an urgent international task to organize academic activities for protection and research of under-documented languages/cultures and of the linguistic and cultural diversity as a whole.

In response to such academic and social demands, Linguistic Dynamics Science Project was launched in 2008 as a five-year project under the financial support from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

The goal of this project is twofold: (1) to invigorate and systematize the documentation research of under-studied languages; (2) to advance the research on the nature of the structural diversity among languages and on the complex dynamics (involving cognitive, socio-cultural, historical, and pragmatic forces) that shape the structural diversity.

In order to attain these goals at the international level, we are working with institutions including London University, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in Great Britain and Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany.

The activities of the project include the following:

<Promotion of advanced research on linguistic diversity>

• documentation research of under-documented and under-studied languages
• offering systematic training on the methodologies of linguistic documentation research
• organizing conferences and symposia on linguistic typology and the dynamics of historical changes

<Construction of infrastructure supporting international research collaboration>

• building a research community for information sharing and mutual support regarding documentation research
• building an interactive online environment that supports and facilitates academic interaction
• providing junior researchers with opportunities for organizing international joint research projects

<Construction of environment for sharing research material>

• researching and developing methodologies for linguistic data processing and archiving
• building a network of archives to facilitating sharing and utilization of linguistic data

<Construction of network of young descriptive linguists>

• hosting Fieldling, a community of junior researchers engaging in descriptive and documentary linguistics