How could a local population support linguistic diversity?

The Language Keeper project aims to uplift the quiet voices of nine community-based language practitioners across Louisiana.

Every citizen benefits from linguistic diversity as it provides the core differences in perspective that is the basis for creativity and the core strength of collective problem-solving. Unfortunately, much of modern life is monolingual English to an extent that linguistic diversity is eroded by the brutal pace of contemporary existence. The work of language arts and linguistic diversity falls on language keepers. Becoming a keeper of Indigenous and minoritized language preservation, growth, and maintenance requires immense amounts of time, passion and sacrifice.  At the same time, this work is often under-compensated, and many times unpaid.  

This project bring the tedious and often unseen work of language organizing and celebration to the public through an online website with documents their stories. The collection of one-hour structured interviews with language keepers from across the region will present the variety of creative ways language communities have found ways to stay relevant, and share the struggles and celebrations of linguistic activists working in a variety of language contexts within the state. 

The extended visibility of digital videos and the comparable series of structured yet informal interviews allows the general public access into the honest and quirky world of language work. The completed set of interviews and resulting website and exhibition will equip the audience with the empathy and curiosity to approach the question of “how can I better appreciate and support linguistic diversity within my local community?”