Ishkashimi: A Father’s Language. How a Very Small Language Survives

Description

SIL International, 2010. — 22 p.This paper presents the results of sociolinguistic research conducted in August 2003 and August 2004 among the Ishkashimi people living in the southwestern part of Badakhshan in Tajikistan. The primary goals of the research were to document and suggest reasons for the observed ethnolinguistic vitality of the language in spite of the fact that the number of speakers is small. Of particular interest is the status of the language as a father’s language, and the responsibility fathers take in ensuring it is passed on to wives and children. Data were gathered through a set of questionnaires dealing with social networks and language use, language functions and attitudes, and ethnic identity.Abstract Introduction Methodology Social Networks and Language Use Language Functions and Language Attitudes Ethnic Identity Locations and Sampling Results Locations Marriage Patterns Language Use in Social Networks in Ryn Language Use with Family and Relatives Language Use with Neighbours Language Use with Friends and Colleagues Language Use in Social Networks in Sumjin Language Use with Family and Relatives Language Use with Neighbours, Friends and Co-Workers Language Use in Functional Domains Children’s Language Language Attitudes in a Multilingual Environment Ethnic Identity Discussion Sum References