Fighting Language Endangerment. Community Directed Research on Sm'algyax (Coast Tsimshian)

Around the world indigenous languages are losing speakers. Because language is such a significant expression
of identity and culture, indigenous communities are seeking ways to support and strengthen their languages.
This book discusses a number of sociopolitical and descriptive issues arising from the development of the
Sm'algyax Learners' Dictionary. The dictionary was developed in partnership with the Tsimshian Nation and
is being used as a teaching tool in the Sm'algyax Language Program.
Part 1 provides background to the approach taken in this book. This approach marries the development of the
dictionary with research into the language. A symbiotic relationship between the descriptive, pedagogical and
sociolinguistic areas of research allows for a fundamentally practical approach including the preparation of
user-friendly materials.
Communities who speak endangered languages place a great deal of importance on sociolinguistic and historical factors relating to language change. In Part 2 the history of the Tsimshian Nation is shown to be closely tied
up with the vitality of the language. Sociolinguistic factors important to understanding the state of the language
today are identified and the typology of the language is described.
Part 3 describes the development of materials for use within the Tsimshian community. A number of language
planning problems are discussed in depth here. Some of these become particularly acute when working with
communities of endangered languages. The discussion provides examples specifically relating to Sm'algyax,
though the methodologies developed here could be used in similar situations elsewhere. They include: orthography development; dictionary design; and the management of lexical expansion.
Part 4 gives an evaluation of the community directed language work in relation to the Sm'algyax Learners'
Dictionary project identifying strengths and challenges associated with this approach.