About Kurtöp

Project Summary

Research Team

References

Project Summary

The Kurtöp Documentation Project began when Pema Chhophyel happened across the Linguistics Department at the University of Oregon and expressed concern for the loss of his language. He subsequently began working as a language consultant for the Field Methods class 2005-2006, including making two field trips for the class. The class produced a number of small papers and one thesis to date (Lowes 2006), which has grown into the current project. In collaboration with the research team and the Dzongkha Development Commission in Bhutan, the Kurtöp Documentation Project aims to document Kurtöp in all its socio-cultural contexts. The Hans Rausing Endangered Languages Project at SOAS is financially supporting the project from September 2007 through August 2009. Support for the Kurtöp Documentation Project has also come from the generosity of the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies, The Center for the Study of Women and Society, the Graduate School, and the Department of Linguistics, all at the University of Oregon.

Planned Outcomes

• Descriptive and Historical Grammar of Kurtöp                                            

• Kurtöp/English/Dzongkha Dictionary                                                          

• Roman and 'Ucen Orthographies                                                                 

• Collection of recorded, transcribed and translated texts                              

• Video documenting language use in a variety of social and cultural contexts

• Pedagogical materials as needed                                                              

Project Timeline

September 2005

Pema starts working for the UO Linguistics Department as the consultant for the Field Methods class.

November 2005

Pema, Racquel and Gwen travel to Santa Barbara, CA over Thanksgiving weekend to meet Kezang and work with him. We also recorded a great deal of conversation during this trip.

December 2005

Pema returns to Dungkar, where Kurtöp is spoken natively, over winter break to collect natural discourse and language use use in a variety of contexts.

February 2006

Kurtöp makes the news in Guwahati, Assam! A local paper gives front page press to the first NEILS (North East Indian Linguistic Society). The story features Gwendolyn Lowes and her work on Kurtöp.

June 2006

Kurtöp makes the news in Eugene! KVAL interviews Pema Chhophyel, Scott DeLancey and Gwendolyn Lowes regarding their work on documenting the Kurtöp language.

December 2006

Gwen travels to Bhutan to discuss a long-term documentation project with the Kurtöp-speaking community there. The idea for the project is well-received and Karma Tshering and Kuenga Lhendup both pledge their support. Gwen also finishes her MA thesis "Kurtoep Phonetics and Phonology

March 2007

A great month! ELDP awards the Kurtöp Documentation Project £29,897". Gwen returns to Bhutan and discusses the Kurtöp Documentation Project with officials from the Dzongkha Development Commission. Her proposal is submitted to the government. She also works with Kuenga and Karma on texts and leaves recording equipment with Kuenga so he can collect data in April.