CoLang

 

What is CoLang?

The Institute on Collaborative Language Research, or CoLang, is an international institute which creates multi-dimensional networks and provides quality training for anyone interested in language work, including language activists, teachers, linguists, and students from all types of communities. CoLang workshops provide hands-on skills in language reclamation, documentation, and related fields as practiced in collaborative, community-based contexts. Learn more. 
 

CoLang 2024 (June 3 to 28) 

Arizona State University (ASU) and the O’odham-Piipaash Language Program (OPLP) of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC), one of several federally recognized tribes in the greater Phoenix area, have joined forces to co-host CoLang 2024 in Arizona. Located in the northern Sonoran desert, and adjacent to the city of Phoenix, ASU and SRPMIC are close neighbors. As such, the theme for CoLang 2024 is “Creating Partnerships, Honoring Neighbors, Building Capacity”. Our theme can be seen as a step in the evolution of CoLang, whereby language workers from a variety of backgrounds can meet and build their capacities in a setting that was shaped by a truly collaborative vision between a traditional institution of higher learning and a tribal-run language program -- one that is facing many of the familiar challenges in documenting and revitalizing their languages that language communities around the world face. Both organizations bring unique resources, scholars, expertise, and opportunities to the Institute that we believe will make for a special learning experience. Learn more.

Emmon Bach Fund and CoLang Student Fellowships

Meet Elora Cromarty, the 2024 Emmon Bach Fellowship Awardee

Elora Cromarty is Cree from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and is a member of Kinoséw Sípí (Norway House Cree Nation), located in Treaty 5 Territory. She is currently a fourth-year student at the University of Manitoba, working towards an Honours BA in Linguistics and a minor in Indigenous Languages, with a focus on Ininímowin (Cree). Elora grew up away from her community and disconnected from her culture and language. As she grew older, and slowly started reconnecting, she realized the importance of learning Ininímowin and how it would bring her closer to her family, community, and reclaiming her Indigenous Identity. Since then, Elora has been committed to the revitalization, documentation, maintenance, and helping others reclaim their Indigenous Languages. Elora has worked with multiple different community organizations as a resource developer, author, editor, and program facilitator, working with the 7 traditional Indigenous languages within Manitoba (Ininímowin, Anishinaabemowin, Anisininemowin, Dene, Dakota, Michif, and Inuktitut). After graduation, Elora plans to continue doing work in Indigenous Language Revitalization, whether that be through community efforts, or by continuing her studies and going into graduate school pursuing Linguistics. Elora is an advocate for language rights and revitalization, and consistently encourages other Indigenous youth to learn their traditional languages.
 

The Role of LSA

Since 2015, the LSA has served as a co-sponsor of CoLang. As a co-sponsor, the LSA provides financial underwriting for student fellowships, in-kind promotional support, and contributes to the scholarly content of the Institute. The CoLang Charter (currently under revision) provides information about the mission, goals, and objectives of the Institute.

LSA Representative to the CoLang Advisory Circle: Spike Gildea, University of Oregon

 

Previous CoLang Institutes

2022: University of Montana
2020: University of Montana (cancelled due to COVID-19)
2018: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
2016: University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK
2014: University of Texas, Arlington
2012: University of Kansas
2010: University of Oregon
2008: University of California, Santa Barbara