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

Kristine Stenzel, Museu Nacional, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Project Details:

Major Documentation Project. Duration: 2007-2011. £113,944

Project Summary:

This project will document Wanano and Waikhana (Piratapuyo), 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 Waikhana. Documentation will be closely linked to indigenous education programs and other language and cultural maintenance efforts.