RNLD: Goals

The Resource Network for Linguistic Diversity aims to link people involved in language work who may be speakers of indigenous languages and their descendents, linguists, staff of language centres, educators (in many different educational settings), archivists, specialists in the development of appropriate technology, and key regional institutions (community, government, nongovernment).
 
The Network focuses on language maintenance activities in the region broadly bounded by Australia, Indonesia, East Timor, Malaysia, Brunei and Melanesia - a region marked by high levels of both linguistic diversity and language endangerment. Beyond the region, Network members also link with international networks such as Terralingua (USA), the Hans Rausing Endangered Languages Project ( UK ), Endangered Languages Fund ( USA ), Foundation for Endangered Languages ( UK ), EMELD, and DELAMAN.
 
RNLD provides a means of linking newcomers to the field with experienced practitioners, as well as providing advice on issues that are commonly encountered, for example:

• methods in language documentation

• training programs which can provide language maintenance practitioners with necessary skills

• appropriate technological approaches to language data (from cardfiles to XML encoded digital data)

• techniques for producing archival recordings

• research methods for locating and interpreting archival material for linguistic and cultural revival

• dictionary production

• links to expertise in associated fields