IYIL 2019 University Events

• Why are as many as half of all languages considered to be endangered languages, at risk of extinction by the end of the century? Why is there a global counter current that is causing a resurgence of interest in indigenous and linguistic minority cultures on every continent, especially in their languages and writing systems?
• What is the relationship between language and identity? Language and the spread of technology, especially digital technologies? Language and economic globalization? Language and human rights? Language and art? And above all...
• Why do indigenous languages matter to everyone?

As you can see, these are not simply language or linguistics issues: a thoughtful multi-disciplinary discussion of the Year of Indigenous Languages touches on the entire range of the humanities, and even business and information technology. Our hope is to inspire informed, campus-wide discussion - to start a fermentation of ideas that your own faculty can continue to feed both in and out of the classroom.

Class Event (50 - 90 minutes)

You can choose to dedicate one of your regular classes during October 2019 by creating activities to present IYIL2019. Normally classes are either 50 min or 90 min long; please adapt the structure accordingly.

Focus on concepts

1. IYIL 2019 as outlined by UNESCO
2. Local Indigenous Languages

Format

The format can be a lecture or a guest presentation, followed by Q&A and discussion.

Material

We have gathered a wide range of Resources, but you can also research material on indigenous languages in your locality. Information should be available at your library and local nonprofit organizations. Adding audiovisual material on local indigenous languages will also make your event more engaging and relevant to your audience.

1. Audio-visual

2. Articles, websites, blogs, posts

3. Academic publications

Presenter/s

You can present the material yourself or invite speakers from local indigenous communities.

Take aways for participants

Depending on the theme you choose, it is important to communicate clearly the objectives of the presentation, lectures and classroom activities.

Workshop Event (1-3 hours)

Held either during regular class time over a couple of sessions or as a special event, between 1-3 hours long.

Focus on concepts

1. IYIL 2019 as outlined by UNESCO
2. Local Indigenous Languages

Format

You can introduce the subject with a lecture and videos, then ask students to create presentations based on their own research. You can combine homework and team activities in the form of interactive exercises. You can also invite guest lecturers or organize a webinar.

Material

We have gathered a wide range of Resources but you can also research material for your local indigenous languages. Information will be available at your library and local nonprofit organizations. To make the presentation interesting, add audio-visual material. There are plenty of short videos available but finding a local one will add to the importance and relevance of your lecture.

1. Audio-visual

2. Articles, websites, blogs, posts

3. Academic publications

Presenter/s

1. Invite speaker/s from local indigenous communities, or invite guest lecturers from different departments within your organization to introduce a multi-disciplinary focus to indigenous languages.
2. Get students to prepare presentations based on material in Resources

Take away for participants

Depending on the theme you choose, it is important to communicate clearly the objectives of the presentation, lectures and classroom activities.

Conference Event

Held as a conference event over a half day or full day.

Focus on concepts

1. IYIL 2019 as outlined by UNESCO
2. Local Indigenous Languages

Format

The format should follow a multiple session structure with short presentations from multiple types of presenters. Audio-visual equipment should be available and have a small team of event organizers run it.

Material

It will be important to curate the presentations prior to the event to ensure that they are within the theme that you set out. You can share the Resources with your presenters but also ask them to do their own research as well.

Presenter/s

1. Invite speaker/s from local indigenous communities, or invite guest lecturers from different departments within your organization to introduce a multi-disciplinary focus to indigenous languages.
2. Get students to prepare presentations based on material in Resources

Take away for participants

Depending on the theme you choose, it is important to communicate clearly the objectives of the presentations.

Custom Presentations

In addition to the material we provide, you may want to customize your presentations; here are some suggestions:

• Start by searching for indigenous languages in your region – you may discover language communities you weren’t aware of. Reach out to groups and organizations that fight to sustain their languages, and invite them to speak about their experience.
• While searching for topics and speakers, focus on the key areas of intervention in preserving, revitalizing and promoting indigenous languages as defined by UNESCO.
• Use a multidisciplinary approach – reach out to colleagues in other departments (e.g. someone working in UX design can talk about issues in accommodating uncommon scripts).
• Record talks, share slides, outlines and transcripts – we will share these resources under the Creative Commons License on this website as well as the IYIL2019 official website to allow other scholars and lecturers to use them for their indigenous language research or include them in their classes.