RGC: An Overview

RGC consists of 2 phases of research. Resource materials are written based on Phase 1 research and revised after Phase 2.  Ideally, phase 1 should be completed before substantial language development and translation work takes place. 

The workshops in each phase of the research take 2 weeks, with additional workshops needed for morphologically complex languages. Of course, there needs to be additional linguistic analysis after these two workshops as language development continues, such as an expanded dictionary and discourse analysis of non-narrative genres. However, the first two workshops and resulting books give an adequate linguistic foundation for the initial writing system and beginning translation.

More details on each phase and follow-up work is provided below. 

Phase 1

During Phase 1, community participants learn about their language's sound system, including its phonemes and tonal distinctions. They also learn the syntax of most word categories and the sound changes that occur when different morphemes come together. Each session's discoveries are displayed on whiteboards. At the end of each session, participants discuss and tentatively agree to spelling rules and word-breaks rules relevant to the topic being researched.  

Phase 1 Goals: 

1) To provide an overview of the language so that informed decisions can be made for...

• An Alphabet

• Most spelling rules

• Word breaks

• Tone representation (if applicable)

2) Writing Practice 

Outputs: 

• 1,000 words with agreed-upon spelling

• 5-10 agreed-upon orthography rules

Estimated Time Needed: 

2-4 weeks  (1 or 2 two-week workshops)

Between Phases

RGC allows for a gap of 3 months to 1.5 years between phases. This time is used to document the spelling rules decided in Phase 1 and test them in the community. 

Goals for Between Phase 1 & 2:

1) Document the grammar collected in Phase 1 by creating resource materials, including...

• An alphabet book

• A story book

• A beginning dictionary

• A consonant, vowel and tone book

• A grammar book

• A phonology paper

2) Test the tentative writing system with the language community. If the community finds it readable and acceptable, then it is recommended to...

• Draft more literacy books to further test the system and provide writing practice

• Begin translation work 

Estimated Time Needed: 

3 months - 1.5 years

Phase 2

Phase 2 should be completed within 1.5 years of phase 1. This workshop continues where the first one left off. 

It begins by checking the grammar book and consonant/vowel/tone book that were created after Phase 1. As participants revise these books, they are reminded of the grammar learned in the first workshop. If translation has been started, each grammatical aspect is immediately applied by revising the Scripture texts for consistent writing according to the grammar learned. 

Phase 2 Goals: 

(1) Check & revise the materials produced after Phase 1

(2) Cover the remaining morphology & syntax topics 

(3) Investigate discourse grammar

Estimated Time Needed: 

2 weeks (1 workshop)

After Phase 2

Within three months of Phase 2 research, the reference books created during Phase 1 should be revised and expanded. It is important to also document discourse discoveries in a new grammar book. This will help improve the naturalness in translation work.  

The beginning dictionary and grammar books can become effective reference tools for language developers, especially as they learn to consult them for spelling consistency in literacy materials and Scripture. 

Goals following Phase 2:

(1) Revise and expand reference books that were created after Phase 1

(2) Write a grammar book on discourse 

Estimated Time: 

Within 3 months of Phase 2 

Best Practice Statements

There are as many ways to do linguistic analysis for language development as there are linguists and language developers. The best practice statements and time frames given on this site are meant only as a guide. 

Because each language and every group of participants is different, RGC facilitators should adapt the best practice statements to the needs of each workshop situation. These statements are based on recommendations from experienced faciltators working in specific contexts, with the awareness that they may be improved. 

The time estimates for the stated goals may, in fact, only be achievable under ideal circumstances with an experienced linguist. In actuality, the best practices may take much longer than the time-frames given. But even if the steps take twice as long, the initial linguistic analysis and description will still be faster than in many projects with other approaches. What's more, the group consensus that normally results often generates quality data and lasting decisions for the writing system.