Documentation of four moribund Moluccan languages

Margaret Florey, Monash University

Project Details:

Major Documentation Project. Duration: 2003-2005. £63,037

Project Summary:

This project will provide rich descriptions of four languages from the eastern Indonesian province of Central Maluku — a region with both high linguistic diversity and the highest level of language endangerment in Indonesia, yet which remains one of the most undescribed regions linguistically. A history of long-standing contact with non-indigenous peoples, colonisation, intensive trade, and conversion to non-indigenous religions have all played a role in language endangerment. The research team of Dr Margaret Florey (Monash University), Dr Simon Musgrave (Monash University), Dr Michael Ewing (University of Melbourne) and Drs Betty Litamahuputty (MPI Field Station, Jakarta) will document Soahuku/Amahei (Seram Island), Haruku (Haruku Island), and Allang and Tulehu (both of Ambon Island) in both the homeland and with remaining speakers in the Dutch diaspora. This project also incorporates the training of Community Language Workers in language documentation techniques in order to support language maintenance initiatives in both settings. Partner institutions include Pattimura University (Ambon), the MPI Field Station and Atma Jaya University (Jakarta), the Moluks Historisch Museum (Utrecht), and the KITLV (Leiden and Jakarta).

Project archive deposit: