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Fieldwork Ryukyuan
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I am a linguist and doctoral student conducting research at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan. I am concerned primarily with the documentation, description, and revitali-zation of the Ryukyuan languages in general, and of the Yaeyama language (a Southern Ryukyuan dialect continuum) in particular.
I am a linguist and doctoral student conducting research at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan. I am concerned primarily with the documentation, description, and revitali-zation of the Ryukyuan languages in general, and of the Yaeyama language (a Southern Ryukyuan dialect continuum) in particular.
Because Yaeyaman has very few descriptive publications in English, I am currently conducting fieldwork and applying general linguistic theory to my findings with the goal to bring its distinctive features into the public eye. I have only just begun.
Because Yaeyaman has very few descriptive publications in English, I am currently conducting fieldwork and applying general linguistic theory to my findings with the goal to bring its distinctive features into the public eye. I have only just begun.
Ryukyuan
Ryukyuan
The Ryukyuan languages comprise a sister branch to the Japanese dialects and Standard Japanese within the Japonic Language family. A UNESCO report has identified six distinct languages within the Ryukyuan branch, but there is high dialectal diversity even within many of these purported languages. They can be characterized as dialect continua, and although they share a number of grammatical and lexical features, they are not mutually intelligible with each other or with the many dialects of mainland Japan. Yaeyaman is one of the three languages that make up the Southern Ryukyan sub-branch, along with Miyakoan and Yonaguni. All Ryukyuan languages are in some state of endangerment, and their survival into future generations is highly threatened.
The Ryukyuan languages comprise a sister branch to the Japanese dialects and Standard Japanese within the Japonic Language family. A UNESCO report has identified six distinct languages within the Ryukyuan branch, but there is high dialectal diversity even within many of these purported languages. They can be characterized as dialect continua, and although they share a number of grammatical and lexical features, they are not mutually intelligible with each other or with the many dialects of mainland Japan. Yaeyaman is one of the three languages that make up the Southern Ryukyan sub-branch, along with Miyakoan and Yonaguni. All Ryukyuan languages are in some state of endangerment, and their survival into future generations is highly threatened.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork
Up until now, I have conducted fieldwork primarily in the Sïka-mura sociolinguistic region of downtown Ishigaki City. I work to collect audio and video recordings of (usually elderly) native speakers conversing about specific topics from daily life, or short monologues that cover topics ranging from folktales to recipes to personal anecdotes. The purpose of this fieldwork is twofold. First, carefully targeted sessions serve as an important resource for descriptive analysis. Secondly, it is my intention to utilize some of these recordings in the creation of documentation and revitalization resources.
Up until now, I have conducted fieldwork primarily in the Sïka-mura sociolinguistic region of downtown Ishigaki City. I work to collect audio and video recordings of (usually elderly) native speakers conversing about specific topics from daily life, or short monologues that cover topics ranging from folktales to recipes to personal anecdotes. The purpose of this fieldwork is twofold. First, carefully targeted sessions serve as an important resource for descriptive analysis. Secondly, it is my intention to utilize some of these recordings in the creation of documentation and revitalization resources.
Contact Info
Contact Info
matthew.w.topping AT gmail DOT com
matthew.w.topping AT gmail DOT com
Skype: matthew.topping2
Skype: matthew.topping2
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