SOAS Research Online

Abstract

There has been considerable discussion of the question as to whether a linguist engaged in language documentation should also be involved in language maintenance and revitalisation projects. This begs the question of what qualifications are needed to meaningfully engage in revitalisation and maintenance, and whether a linguist should participate even if they lack them. The relationship of the linguist to the language community has altered significantly in recent years, and yet outdated perceptions of the linguist’s role persist. Simultaneously, a new paradigm has emerged wherein there is an expectation on field-working linguists to engage with and contribute to language communities in ways that some fear may interfere with the goal of rigorous linguistic scholarship. This paper will explore the changing expectations of linguistic fieldwork, who is really qualified for revitalisation and maintenance, and how the relationship and responsibilities of the linguist to the community in which they work may impact the way in which language documentation is carried out.